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THE LIE 



By HENRY ARTHUR JONES 
THETHEATRE OF IDEAS 

A burlesque allegory and three one-act plays: 
The G oal; Her Tongue; and Grace Mart. 

THE FOUNDATIONS OF A 
NATIONAL DRAMA 

containing lectures delivered to Harvard. Yale 
and Columbia Universities; at the Royal Insti- 
tution, London; with other lectures, essays and 
papers on the Drama, and photogravure por- 
trait of the author. 

THE DIVINE GIFT 

A play in three acts, with dedication to Professor 

Gilbert Mtjrbay, LL.D., Regius Professor of 

Greek at Oxford, and photogravure portrait ot 

the author^ 

THE LIE 

A play in four acts, as played by Miss Margaret 
Illingt on^ 

OTHER PLAYS BY 
HENRY ARTHUR JONES 

The Silver King The Rogots Comedt 

Saints and Sinners The Physician 

The Middleman The Liars 

j^P^^ The Manceuvres of 

The Dancing Girl Jane 

The Crusaders Carnac Sahib 

The Tempter Mrs. Dane's Defence 

The Masqueraders Whitewashing Julia 

T^E Case of Rebel- Joseph Entangled 

Lious Susan The Hypocrites 

The Triumph of the Dolly Reforming 

Philistines Herself 

Michael and His Mary Goes First 

Lost Angel 



The Lie 

A PLAY IN FOUR ACTS 



BY 

HENRY ARTHUR JONES 

Authm of "Mrs. Dane's Defence," "The Theatre of Ideas, 
"The Divine Gift," etc. 



New York 

George H. Doran Company 






Copyright, 1915, 
By Geobge H. Doran Company 



^\0^ 



MAY 18 !9I5 

©CI.D 40757 



DEDICATION 

to 

MISS MARGARET ILLINGTON 

Dear Margaret Illington: 

The highest and rarest gift an actor can possess ia 
that power of sure and instant self-excitement which en- 
ables him suddenly to reach the great emotional scenes of 
drama by a daring spontaneous instinct, and to unite the 
whole audience with him in his frenzy of self-abandon- 
ment. It is told of our English Macready that before 
going on the stage to act any great passionate scene, 
he had to work himself into a fury at the wings, like the 
lion who could not roar till he had thoroughly lashed 
himself with his tail. But Edmund Kean's performances 
in Othello and Richard were said to be like reading 
Shakespeare by continuous flashes of lightning accom- 
panied by rolls of thunder. 

In asking you to accept the dedication of "The Lie," 
I abdicate my authorship for the moment, and become 
one of the audience whom you move every night to such 
tumultuous response to your splendidly sustained out- 
bursts of emotion. And in printing the play I give those 
who witness your acting the chance of reading my words, 
and comparing them with your impassioned utterance. 
They will then be able to judge how deeply indebted I 
am to you for your rendering of Elinor Shale. In speak- 
ing of your performance I am justified in calling up 
memories of the great acting of the past. A New York 
paper, after seeing you in "The Lie," has called you "The 
American Sarah Bernhardt." Let me suggest that when 
these troublous times have gone by and France again 
resumes her sway in the drama — let me suggest that the 
rising French actress be called "The French Margaret 
Illington." 

Always faithfully and gratefully yours, 

Henry Arthur Jones. 



PERSONS REPRESENTED 

Sir Robert Shale, Bart, of Shale Abbey 

Noll Dibdin 

Gerald Forster, of the Hall Waventry 

Hamp, Butler at the Abbey 

Dick 

Elinor Shale, Sir Robert's Granddaughter 

Lucy Shale, her younger sister 

Miss Pinsent, a dressmaker 

GiBBARD 

Mrs. Callard 



ACT I 

Scene: Drawing room at Shale Abbey, a lofty room 
in a fourteenth century building. At back is a 
large mullioned windoiv, giving a view of a north 
midland landscape at sunset in Winter, At a dis- 
tance of about two hundred yards is the Dower 
House, a small, unpretentious eighteenth century 
building. On the right side centre is a door. On 
the left side down stage is a huge fireplace, with 
burning logs on the hearth between large brass 
dogs. Above fireplace left is a handsome oak 
staircase leading off left. The first four steps are 
shown, and mount to a landing. A door shuts off 
the remaining steps. The walls of the room are 
weather-stained and cracked. The room itself is 
rather barely furnished with a few pieces of hand- 
some old oak ftirniture. The time is about four 
on an afternoon in late November. Discover 
Hamp, dozing in a large arm-chair above the fire. 
He is about sixty-five, with a coarse, surly, humor- 
ous face which gives evidence of drink. He is 
slovenly in his dress and habits, and independent 
in his manner and speech. He is slightly, but not 
very obviously, tipsy. A bell is rung impatiently 
off stage. A pause and the bell is again rung 
more impatiently. Another pause. Enter MiSS 
PiNjSENT L. She is about thirty, very well dressed, 

9 



10 THE LIE 

with the manners of a good class London shop 
lady. She enters quickly and is evidently in a 
temper. 

Miss Pinsent. Oh, there you are, I've been ring- 
ing my bell the last half hour. 

Hamp. [Draws himself up out of his sprawling at- 
titude, but does not rise.] You're one of them folks as 
want too much attention in this world. 

Miss Pinsent. [Looking at him indignantly.'] Is that 
your attitude in the presence of a lady? 

IIamp. No. This is my attitude to yomig persons out 
of shops. 

Miss Pinsent. I'll have you to know that I'm here 
as a visitor, by Miss Shale's invitation. 

Hamp. Excuse me. You're here as a dressmaker, to 
mend up Miss Shale's dresses, and to make more work 
for Gibbard and me. 

Miss Pinsent. While I am here, I am a member of 
the family. 

Hamp. Not by lawful holy wedlock in church. [Shak- 
ing his head at her.] Far from it! 

Miss Pinsent. [Indignantly.] Oh! [Goes to bell 
and pulls it angrily.] You've been drinking, I suppose. 

Hamp. Now it's no use you're asking me that. Be- 
cause not a drop do you wheedle out of me. [She 
again pulls the bell violently.] If you don't take care, 
you'll break that bell-rope, and bell-ropes are scarce at 
the Abbey. 

Miss Pinsent. I will thank you to keep your inso- 
lence to yourself. [Still ringing. The bell-rope comes 
down. 

Hamp. There! What did I tell you? 



THE LIE 11 

[GiBBARD enters, at door R. She is nominal- 
ly the parlour maid at the Ahhey, hut at 
the present moment is general servant 
and drudge. She is a country girl and is 
in working morning dress, with her sleeves 
turned up. 
Miss Pinsent. Gibbard, I've been ringing for an 
hour. 

Gibbard. I've got other things to do beside wait on 
you. There's all cook's work. 

Miss Pinsent. My fire has gone out. 
Hamp. Got a scuttle of coals in your pocket, Gib- 
bard? The young lady is afraid of getting chilblains. 
Miss Pinsent. I can't sit there without a fire. 
Gibbard. I can't help your fire going out, miss. I 
haven't started with the dinner. 

[Exit Gibbard at door B. 
Hamp. There, you see! 
Miss Pinsent. I've never been in a house like 

this 

Hamp. No, and you never will be again. So you 
make the most of it while you've got the chance. 

Miss Pinsent. Is there anybody to bring some coals 
to my sitting room? 

[Sir Robert Shale enters, B. He is about 
seventy-five, hict is sturdy and well pre- 
served, of the English country gentleman 
type. He has, however, become rather 
coarse in manners through association 
with his inferiors. He has a country, 
weather-beaten complexion, which is 
marred by his drinking habits. He is by 
turns jovial and irascible, very autocratic 



1^ THE LIE 

omd unreasonable. His dress is rather old 
and shabby. A foxhound cub follows 
Mm. Hamp has risen quickly at his 
entrance, before Sir Robert perceives 
him. He pulls himself together and his 
manner changes and becomes respectfid. 
Miss Pinsent. [Continuing so that Sir Robert can 
hear.] When Miss Shale returns I shall tell her of 

your insolence 

Sir Robert. What's the matter, Hamp? 
Hamp. Well, Sir Robert, from the way this young 
person orders the servants about, you'd think the Ab- 
bey belonged to her. 

Miss Pinsent. I merely asked you to take some 
coals to my sitting room. 

Hamp. Ordered me, Miss. And ordered me in a 
very haughty, aggravating way. And pranced 

about 

Miss Pinsent. I did not prance. 
Hamp. [Correcting her with emphasis.] And pranced 
about, Sir Robert. [Giving an exaggerated illustra- 
tion.] And rushes up to the bell-rope and pulls it with 
that violence. [Picking up the bell-rope from the 
floor.] I had to expostulate with her. 

Miss Pinsent. Sir Robert, I've been sitting there 
without any fire. 

Sir Robert. We're all obliged to rough it a little, 
now we're short of servants. You aren't very com- 
fortable at the Abbey, Miss Pinsent? 
Miss Pinsent. No, I'm not. 

Sir Robert. You're like the rest of us. We're none 
of us very comfortable, are we, Pompey? 

[Caressing the hound. 



THE LIE 13 

Miss Pinsent. When Miss Shale invited me she said, 
"We shall treat you as one of ourselves." 

[Horror on Hamp's face. 

Sir Robert. That meant that we should have to 

treat you to a good many inconveniences, eh, Pompey? 

My granddaughter ought to have told you 

Miss Pinsent. She did. And I've tried to make 
myself agreeable [Hamp exhibits the hell-rope to Sir 
Robert in comment], and fall in with your ways. 

Sir Robert. I'm afraid that's difficult for a young 
lady in your position. We've been at the Abbey for 
six hundred years, and our ways take a good deal of 
falling into, don't they, Pompey? 

[Elinor enters B. She is about twenty-four, 
healthy, good-looking, hut with an anx- 
ious, unsatisfied and slightly care-worn 
expression. She enters with outdoor 
clothes, takes them off as she speaks and 
throws them over chair. There is a little 
pause as she enters and she looks around. 
Elinor. Is anything the matter? 
Miss Pinsent. I wish to go back to London tomor- 
row, if you please. 

Elinor. Oh, Miss Pinsent, that's quite impossible. 
You promised to stay till you'd made my new evening 
dress. [Looking anxiously at Sir Robert, who is play- 
ing with Pompey, and then at Hamp.] What has hap- 
pened? 

Miss Pinsent. This man has been grossly insolent 
to me. 

Hamp. Insolent? The young lady has done nothing 
but ling her bell all the afternoon. Gibbard and me 
can't always be dancing attendance on her. 



14 THE LIE 

Miss Pinsent. [Indignantly.] Oh! 

Elinor. Never mind, Hamp. Please see about get- 
ting tea. 

Hamp. And when I expostulated with her, she vented 
her rage on the innocent bell-rope. 

[Showing the hell-rope. 

Elinor. I'll inquire into it by and by. Please get 
the tea. [Hamp solemnly deposits the hell-rope on a 
chair, glaring at Miss Pinsent as he does so. Exit 
Hamp at door B. 

Elinor. I'm so son-y! I know Hamp is dreadfully 
rude. 

Miss Pinsent. I'll finish your blouse to-night, but 
I must leave the other dresses. 

Elinor. Oh, I can't hear of it ! We'll do all we can 
to make you comfortable. Bring your work in here. 

Sib Robert. My dear Elinor! 

Elinor. Yes, Grandy. [To Miss Pinsent.] We'll 
make this your workroom for the present. 

Miss Pinsent. I'm sure I'd better go. [Exit L. 

Sib Robert. So you're going to turn the Abbey into 
a milliner's shop? 

Elinor. Yes, for the next few days. 

Sir Robert. And I suppose I'm to be the confound- 
ed shop-walker? 

Elinor. Now, Grandy, don't be naiTghty! If I'm 
to go to the County Ball, I must get an evening dress 
from somewhere. 

Sib Robert. When my clothes get shabby, I don't 
invite some damned tailor to come and stay with me. 
I hunt up a new man. Can't you give somebody in 
Waventry a turn? 

Elinor. They can't make an evening dress in Wa- 



THE LIE 15 

ventry. And we've hunted them all too much. I was 
ashamed to walk down the High Street this afternoon. 

Sir Robert. What did you do about the summons 
for that confounded cook's money? 

Elinor. I paid it. And eleven shillings costs. Then 
I had two and three pence left. 

Sir Robert. And she was such a rotten bad cook! 
Sends us up pheasant without any bread sauce, and 
then county-courts us for her wages. I suppose Hamp 
will be the next one to send in an ultimatum. 

Eliistor. Oh, no ! Hamp will never leave us. He 
knows he'd never get another situation. And I shall 
never get another situation. [With great bitterness. 

Sir Robert. You'll get married some day, I suppose? 

Elinor. Get married? What chance have I down 
here? With no money to go about, and nothing to 
make me look nice! With bills owing everywhere, afid 
everybody fighting shy of us! Oh, my God, I'm shut 
in here; I'm shut in this awful prison, and there's no 
way out of it! 

Sir Robert. [Caressing the hound over the fire.] 
England began to go to decay in eighteen-thirty- 
two 

Elinor. Oh, never mind England ! It's I who am 
going to decay! It's I who am wasting all my life in 
this hole ! Will no one come and take me out of it — 
buy me for a slave — or — something — anything — any- 
thing! [Bursts into tears and sits crying. 

Sir Robert. That was the fatal year for England — 
eighteen-thirty-two. My old grandfather warned them. 
He saw what was coming! 

Elinor. Then why didn't he stop my being born? 
Grandy, I* can't bear this much longer. [With a sud- 



16 THE LIE 

den revulsion, laughs at herself.^ What's the use of 
saying that ? I've got to bear it. 

Sib Robert. Your Aunt Kate ought to take you. 

Elinor. She has Lucy. It's very good of her to 
have one of us. But I'm sorry now that I let Lucy go. 
I was the elder, and Aunt Kate did give me the first 
chance. I ought to have taken it, but Lucy over-per- 
suaded me. And I thought I was doing a splendid, 
generous thing for Lucy. So I was. But I was doing 
a very foolish thing for myself. Self-sacrifice is a 
mistake. 

Sir Robert. By Jove, yes! I've found that out, all 
my life. 

Elinor. And Lucy will many some rich man — she's 
clever enough. 

Sir Robert. Well, why shouldn't you? Why don't 
you set your cap at young Forster, now he's back in 
England? 

Elinor. Oh, don't talk like that! 

Sir Robert. He seemed to take a good deal of no- 
tice of you at Lady Betchworth's the other day. 

Elinor. He said he'd call. That was over a fort- 
night ago. 

Sir Robert. He's like the rest. Looks down upon us 
because we're poor. By Jove, yes, and there's that old 
frump. Lady Betchworth! [Getting into a sudden 
rage.] I could tell some tales about her when she was 
young. And I will, too! I'll let everybody know! 
They're all alike! The only one of the whole set that 
looks up to me is that little snivelling teetotal curate! 
And he began to lecture me. By God ! The little rab- 
bit began to lecture me ! He did, Pompey ! 

Elinor. What about? 



THE LIE 17 

Sir Robert. Said he'd seen me coming out of the 
"Shale Anns." 

Elinor. Well, I suppose he had. 

Sir Robert. Yes. And he'll see me again. Why 
shouldn't I? Good comfortable old English Inn, and 
my own property! 

[Elinor looks at him, makes a helpless, de- 
spairing gesture, then goes to him. 

Elinor. Grandy, this can't go on! We must pull 
ourselves out of it somehow. Won't Cousin Jack do 
something? 

Sir Robert. Not a sixpence. That's a pretty nephew 
for you. If he was the true English breed, he'd cut 
off the entail and make my old age comfortable. 

Elinor. We must let the Abbey. 

Sir Robert. We should get a few hundred a year, 
and all the tradespeople would be down on us like 
vultures. No; young Forster is our sheet anchor. 
We'll ask him to dinner. 

Elinor. We've no cook; and if you were to 

Sir Robert. If I what? 

Elinor. If you took a glass too much 

Sir Robert. Glass too much! You're as bad as 
that little toad of a curate. We'll ask young Forster 
to dinner. Only you must get rid of your dressmaker 
friend. 

Elinor. Miss Pinsent must stay till she has made 
my evening dress. 

Sir Robert. Nonsense ! Pack her off and get a 
smart one from London. There's your mother's locket 
and cross. 

Elinor. No. She gave me them for my daughter — 
if I ever have one. I'll never part from them. 



18 THE LIE 

Sir Robert. [Looking around at the room.] We'll 
get rid of this old rubbish 

Elinor. We have got rid of it. If we sell any 
more, what will the place look like? 

Sir Robert. Well, yonng Forster is our only chance, 
so mind you play your cards well. 

Elinor. Oh, don't talk like that ! You make me feel 
I'm trying to trap him. And I think [Very softly and 
tenderly] I could really care for him. 

[Enter Hamp ivith the tea things. 

Hamp. The case of poi't has just anived, Sir Robert. 

[Laying the tea things. 

Elinor. Port? 

Hamp. Shall I open it? 

Sir Robert. Yes. We'll sample it for dinner. 

Hamp. Yes, Sir Robert. 

Elinor. Tell Miss Pinsent that tea is ready. 

Hamp. Yes, miss. [Exit tipstairs L. 

Elinor. You've been ordering some port wine? 
Where from? 

Sib Robert. There's a new wine merchant just 
started at Waventi-y. He sent me a circular, and asked 
me to give him a trial. So I did. 

Elinor. Poor man! [Sir Robert is going off, 
followed by the hound.} You're going out? 

Sir Robert. Yes, my dear. I promised Burton I'd 
see him about the new kennels for the hounds. 

Elinor. At the "Shale Arms," I suppose? 

Sir Robert. I daresay I shall find him somewhere 
about. [Hamp has reentered hy staircase. 

Hamp. The young person seems to be huffy about 
my expostulating with her. She's packing her boxes. 

[Lighting the lamps. 



THE LIE 19 

Sir Robert. So we're going to lose her? 
Hamp. Yes, I'm afraid, Sir Robert. 

[Exchanging a look of understanding with 
Sir Robert. 
Sir Robert. I thought we might. Come along, 
Pompey. 

[Exit at door with hound as Miss Pinsent 
comes downstairs from door L. 
Miss Pinsent. I've thought it over, Miss Shale, and 
I'm sure I'd better leave to-moiTow morning. 

Elinor. Oh, no! I can't let you. Well, sit down 
and have some tea now. [Miss Pinsent sits. 

[Hamp has lighted lamps, glaring at Miss 
Pinsent. lie now goes to table and 
picks up hell-rope, glaring at Miss Pin- 
sent. 
Hamp. I suppose I'd better send into Waventry and 
get a man to put our bell-ropes in order. 

Elinor. Please take that away and bring in some 
more logs for the fire. 
Hamp. Yes, miss. 

[Goes out B., glaring at Miss Pinsent. 

Elinor. [At tea table, pouring out tea.] Now, Miss 

Pinsent, I shan't let you go. The doctor ordered you 

a change, and Madame Duvernay gave you three weeks 

to stay with us at the Abbey. 

Miss Pinsent. You said I should be one of the 
family. 

Elinor. I think I have ti'eated you as one of the 
family, and you mustn't take any notice of Sir Robert 
and the servants. 

Miss Pinsent. I really couldn't put up with it for 
another 'fortnight. 



20 THE LIE 

Elinor. I've put up with it for a good many years, 
and I shall have to put up with it — all my life, I sup- 
pose. 

Miss Pinsent. [Genuinely sympathetic] I'm so 
sorry for you ! 

Elinor. Then won't you stay for my sake? If you 
don't, I can't go to the County Ball. And I do want 
to look nice, just for once. Won't you stay? [very 
pleadingly.] If I asked you as my friend 

Miss Pinsent. [After a little pause.] Yes, I will 
stay. 

Elinor. That is good of you. Thank you so much! 
I think we might start upon the evening dress at once. 

Miss Pinsent. You didn't decide which one you'd 
have. 

Elinor. No; but eight poxmds is my very utmost 
limit. 

Miss Pinsent, Then it will have to be the plain 
gray. 

Elinor. Yes, I suppose. How much did you say 
the brocade would be? 

Miss Pinsent. Twelve pounds. 

Elinor. Oh, I wish I dared! No; we owe so much 
money. It must be the gray. It will look very well? 

Miss Pinsent. Oh, yes! Of course, not like the 
brocade. 

Elinor. Oh, if I No, no, no! That's settled. 

Now, after tea yoii shall bring all your work in here, 
and we'll have a jolly evening. 

Miss Pinsent. I hope Sir Robert won't mind. 

Elinor. I'm afraid he'll be at the "Shale Arms" till 
dinner. And after — he may be very merry, or very 
bad-tempered. You mustn't take any notice. 



THE LIE 21 

Miss Pinsent. [Rising from tea table.] I'll go and 
unpack, and then I'll come down. 

Elinor. Yes, do. Bring the patterns of the brocade. 
Bring them all. I can look at them if I can't afford 
them. 

[Exit Miss Pinsent. Left alone, Elinor 
shows contentment, and poses as in an 
evening dress, looking down at the folds 
of her present dress, arranging and drap- 
ing them. GiBBARD, still in her working 
dress, enters R., with her sleeves turned 
np. 
GiBBARD. There's a gentleman asking for Sir Robert. 
Elinor. What did you say? 

GiBBARD. I told him Sir Robert was out. Then he 
asked if you were at home, and he said: "Will you 
tell Miss Shale that Mr. Forster has called?" 

Elinor. [Shows great vexation.] Why didn't you 
show him in? And, Gibbard, when you are in that 
dress you should let Hamp go to the door. Where is 
he? 

Gibbard. Hamp's in the cellar, and give strict orders 
he wasn't to be disturbed. 

Elinor. Show Mr. Eorster in, and, Gibbard, change 
your dress before you show him out. 

[Exit Gibbard B. A few moments later she 
reenters, showing in Gerald Forster. 
Gerald is a rather tall, handsome, dis- 
tinguished man, about thirty-five. 
Gibbard. Here is the gentleman, miss. [Exit. 

Gerald. How d'ye do? 
Elinor. How d'ye do? [Shaking hands.] You find 



22 THE LIE 

us in a muddle to-day. We're short of servants. Do 
please excuse it. Let me give you some tea. 

Gerald. Thanks! 

Elinor. I'm afraid it's rather cold. Shall I ring for 
some more? 

Gerald. No, please don't. I'll take it as it is. 

[They sit down to the tea table. 

Elinor. I'm soiTy my grandfather is out, but I dare- 
say he'll be back before you go. 

Gerald. I'm afraid I can't stay long. I'm motoring 
to the junction to catch the express. I oughtn't to 
have called in such a casual way. 

Elinor. Oh, yes! ]\[ilk? Sugar? 

Gerald. Veiy little milk, and very little sugar. 
When I get back from London, will you allow me to 
call again? 

Elinor. Yes; we shall be pleased. But I'm afraid 
you'll still find us in a muddle, and we shall still be 
short of servants. I'm telling you this because I'm 
sure everybody else must have told you, and you know 
all about us. So it's no use trying to hide it. 

Gerald. I shall be glad to come and take you just 
as I find you now. 

Elinor. Well, to do ourselves justice, we aren't al- 
waj's quite so much upside down as we are to-day. 
Sometimes our butler is in e\ddence; and sometimes he 
is fairly presentable. And sometimes — in fact, nearly 
always — we have a cook. Though not often a very 
good one — not one we could ask you to dinner iTpon 

Gerald. Tiy me. You don't know the kind of din- 
ner I get ten months of the year in Egypt. 

Elinor. Not so bad as you'd get hei-e. I'm telling 



THE LIE 23 

you all this because I'm sure you've heard it already. 

And if you mean to know us 

[With an anxious glance at him. 

Gerald. Of course I mean to know you. When I 
came back to England, there was so much to do on my 
estate I hadn't time to see my neighbours. I meant to 
call the day after I saw you at Lady Betehworth's, but 
I had to go up to London, and I didn't get back till 
last night. 

Elinor. You're a very busy person. 

Gerald. I am. There's my estate here — that's one 
man's work. Then there are the ii-rigation works in 
Egypt — that's three men's work, at least. 

Elinor. You haven't much time to give to your 
friends here, now you are back in England. 

Gerald. I'm not in England to look after my estate. 
I came home to get my plans passed by the Govern- 
ment. As soon as that's done, I'm off to Egypt. 

Elinor. For long? 

Gerald. I hope two years will see me through. Then 
I shall come back and settle down here for good. I 
don't know why I'm talking about myself. 

Elinor. Because it interests me. Another cup of 
tea? Do you spend much time in Cairo? 

Gerald. A month or two sometimes. Then six 
months right away in the desert. 

Elinor. I should love to go to Cairo. I should love 
to go anywhere away from the Abbey. 

Gerald. Why don't you come out next winter? 
You'd easily find a chaperon. 

Elinor. [Shakes her head sadly.] But I couldn't 
easily find any money. When do you go back to 
Egypt? 



M THE LIE 

Gerald, I've two more months at home. I leave on 
the Thursday after the County Ball. You're sure to be 
there? 

Elinor. Yes, indeed! I'm seeing about my dress 
already. 

Gerald. I should have gone back earlier, if you 
hadn't spoken about the County Ball at Lady Beteh- 
worth's. 

Elinor. [Her face lights up with a rare flash of 
pleasure.] Would you? Shall you be down here much 
before you go back to Egypt? 

Gerald. That will depend upon whether I get my 
plans through easily. I shall run down here whenever 
I can spare the time. [Rising.] I hope I shall see 
something of you. 

Elinor. Yes, I hope so. You're not going? 

Gerald. I must catch the express. 

[Looking at watch. 

Elinor. I'm sorry my grandfather hasn't come in. 

Gerald. Perhaps you'd bring him over to dine with 
me one night? 

Elinor. We shall be pleased. 

Gerald. I can find him a bottle of old port 

Elinor. I hope you won't. I mean — if we are to 
know each other, it's better you should understand. 

Gerald. I do understand. 

[Takes her hand very kindly. 

Elinor. Poor Grandy! He's old, and 

Gerald. He's a century behind his time. We mustn't 
blame him for that. Then I shall see you at the County 
Ball— and before? 

Elinor. But you're down here so little. 



THE LIE 25 

Gerald. I shouldn't have come down now, only I 
promised you I'd call 

Elinor. [Her face lights iip again.] You didn't 
come down on purpose to call on me? 

Gerald. I had a few other things to do; but they 
could have waited. [A long pause.] An revoir. 

Elinor. I'll see you to the door. 

Gerald. No, I won't let you. I've known my way 
about the Abbey since I was a boy. [Exit. 

Elinor. [Goes to the open door, calls off.] Gib- 
bard, please show Mr. Eorster out. [Comes down 
with a radiant face, laughs a little, low, satisfied laugh, 
dances a few steps, pulls herself up.] Don't be a 
lunatic! [Miss Pinsent enters at door L., with a 
blouse nearly finished and several large patterns of 
evening-dress materials. 

Elinor. [Eagerly.] Miss Pinsent, I will have the 
brocade — I'll go to the twelve pounds. 

Miss Pinsent. I'm sure you won't regret it. 

Elinor. [Bright, eager.] Show it to me again! 
Show them all to me again! 

Miss Pinsent. [Displays the patterns.] It's so much 
handsomer than the gray ! 

Elinor. That's very handsome. [As Miss Pinsent 
spreads out patterns.] So's that. I wish I could have 
a dress of every one. 

Miss Pinsent. Has anything happened? 

Elinor. No. Why? 

Miss Pinsent. You look so happy. 

Elinor. I am. I'm delighted to think I shall look 
nice for once in my life. 

Miss Pinsent. You will, I'm sure. 



26 THE LIE 

[Lucy enters suddenly B. She is a very 
pretty girl, a year or two younger than 
Elinor. Her manner now is absent and 
distracted; ordinarily she is insinuating 
and pleasing, hut watchful and a little 
feline. She is exceedingly well and co- 
quettishly dressed, in outdoor winter 
clothes with furs. 
Elinor. Lucy! Lucy, old girl! Wliy what — what 

brings [Rushes up to her and kisses her heartily.] 

I am glad There's nothing the matter? 

Lucy. No. 

Elinor. I thought you were at Worthing with Aunt 
Kate. 

Lucy. She has gone back to London. 
Elinor. Why didn't you let us know you were 
coming? 

Lucy. I thought I'd give you a surprise. 
Elinor. Well, you have, I am glad. This is my 
friend, Miss Pinsent, from Madame Duvernay's. She 
has kindly come down here to fit me out for the 
winter. 

Lucy. How d'ye do? 
Miss Pinsent. How d'ye do? 

Elinor. I was getting so shabby. You're sure noth- 
ing has happened? 

Lucy. No. What should there be? 
Elinor. We haven't heard from you for nearly a 
month. 

Lucy. I hate letter writing. So I thought I'd come 
and have a day or two with you. 

Elinor. I am pleased. Look ! That's to be my new 
evening dress. Don't you think it will look handsome? 



THE LIE 27 

Lucy. [Paying little attention.] Veiy. I should 
think it would suit you. 

Elinor. Ah! You're used to pretty dresses. What 
splendid furs ! And what a pretty hat ! 

Lucy. One must look decent. 

Elinor. Never mind. You'll see what Miss Pinsent 
is going to make for me. Now, Miss Pinsent, it's go- 
ing to look as if it came straight from Paris? 

Miss Pinsent. It will be an exact copy of one of 
our latest Parisian models. 

[Lucy makes a sign to Elinor to get rid of 
Miss Pinsent. 

Elinor. Miss Pinsent, couldn't you write up for the 
materials to-night? [Looking at writing table.] No 
pen and ink, as usual ! 

Miss Pinsent. I can write it in my own room. 

Elinor. Will you? And send it off to-night. 

Miss Pinsent. Very well. I'll write it at once. 
[Exit Miss Pinsent by stairs L. 

Elinor. Thank you. [To Lucy.] I'm so glad to see 
you! Those furs are lovely. [Looking at Lucy.] 
Lucy, there is something the matter! 

Lucy. Nell, old girl, I'm done for. 

Elinor. Lucy! 

Lucy. It's all over with me. 

Elinor. How? Tell me. 

Lucy. You remember Dick Tallerton? [Elinor hesi- 
tates.] He used to come to Aunt Kate's when you were 
staying with us. 

Elinor. Yes. I saw his death announced in the 
paper last week. 

Lucy. Yes, he's dead. That's the awful thing of it. 

Elinor. Why? 



28 THE LIE 

Lucy. He was engaged to me. 

Elinor. Engaged to you? He was engaged to Lady 
Willindon's girl. He brought her to Aunt Kate's. 

Lucy. He was engaged to both of us. But he would 
have married me. 

Elinor. You were very fond of him? 

Lucy. I suppose I was. 

Elinor. I'm so sorry! It must be a great disap- 
pointment. Still, he wasn't quite the man I should 
have thought you'd choose. 

Lucy. What was the matter with him? 

Elinor. Wasn't he — rather notorious — and fast? 

Lucy. He was the heir. When Sir Thomas Taller- 
ton died, I should have been Lady Tallerton, with 
twenty thousand a year. 

Elinor. Yes. Of course you're very much cut up. 
But you're young, dear — and pretty. You'll get over 
it in time. I'll help you bear it, darling. 

Lucy. Someone has got to help me. My God, it is 
rotten luck! 

Elinor. I don't understand 

Lucy. He was engaged to Maud Willindon 

Elinor. Yes? 

Lucy. They were to be married in the spring. He 
daren't break it off. But I'd got him right enough. 

Elinor. Tell me all. 

Lucy. Dick and I were to get away to Paris and be 
married there. Then he was to write his people and 
tell them. We were to go to some quiet place in the 
South and stay there some months. Then we were to 
go to the East and travel for a year or two. When we 
came back nobody would have asked when my baby 
was bom. 



THE LIE 29 

Elinor. Baby! [Overwhelmed.] Lucy! Lucy! 

Lucy. Don't row me ! I can't stand it. 

Elinor. I won't row you, dear; but — it's terrible! 
[Pause.] Tell me everything. 

Lucy. Three days before we were to start, Dick was 
taken with typhoid fever. It was all over in a week. 
And to think — I should have been safe by now — safe 
— with the title and eveiy thing clear in front of me. 
And now ! Did you ever know such rotten luck ? 

Elinor. I'll help you, dear. 

Lucy. I knew you would, old girl! 

Elinor. What's to be done? 

Lucy. I don't know. I'm pretty sick of it. Once or 
twice I've nearly ended it. 

Elinor. No, no! You mustn't talk like that. 

Lucy. It's awful. I can't sleep, except with the 
morphia. 

Elinor. Lucy, you haven't taken to that? 

Lucy. You find yourself in my mess, and you'd take 
to anything. 

Elinor. Does Aunt Kate know? 

Lucy. No. I left her a month ago. 

Elinor. Left her? 

Lucy. She was always nagging me about my be- 
havior and extravagance. So we had a big flare-up and 
parted. 

Elinor. You shouldn't have done that. 

Lucy. I thought I was safe to marry Dick. 

Elinor. Where have you been since you left Aunt 
Kate? 

Lucy. In rooms in Eastbourne. Dick and his people 
were there. I'd arranged everything to meet him in 
Paris — then he sent me a note to say he was down 



30 THE LIE 

.with typhoid. I've bad an awful time. I daren't call 
on them — I couldn't get any news, till the worst came. 

Elinor. Won't the Talleiions help you? 

Lucy. They'll have to. I saw Sir Thomas and Lady 
Tallerton last night and told them everything. 

Elinor. What did they say? 

Lucy. They were furious. Lady Tallerton read me 
a seiTQon, the old hag! And Sir Thomas rowed me, 
and declared he'd never give me a penny. 

Elinor. Then they won't do anything? 

Lucy. If they don't, I'll make a scandal. 

Elinor. You can't do that. It would only come 
back on you. 

Lucy. I don't care! I'm ready to do anything. I 
must get some money from somewhere. I owe for all 
my clothes. 

Elinor. How much? 

Lucy. Four or five himdred pounds. 

Elinor. Four or five hundred pounds! 

Lucy. I had to have them. I couldn't have got 
hold of Dick if I hadn't looked smarter than Maud 
WLllindon. And I did get hold of him. 

Elinor. Was it worth while? 

Lucy. What? 

Elinor. If he really loved you, wouldn't he have 
wanted to take you honorably ? 

Lucy. You are a dear fool, Nell ! You've lived down 
here all your life, and you.'ve got the silliest old no- 
tions. Love and honour! That sort of stuff doesn't go 
down to-day, Nell. I wasn't going to be companion to 
Aunt Kate all my life, and dress on her thirty pounds 
a year. I meant to be Lady Tallerton, and I took the 
only way to get him. And I bi'ought it off — only 



THE LIE 31 

What rotten luck! It's no use talking. What's it like 
here? Just the same, I suppose? 

Elinor. Yes; only rather worse. 

Lucy. Grandy? 

Elinor. As usual. It's nearly every night now. 
And he has Hamp to sit up with him. 

Lucy. {^Looking at the patterns.] But you're having 
a new evening dress. 

Elinor. One — in four years! I'm going to the 
County Ball. 

Lucy. Quite right. Take what you can get, and 
enjoy yourself while you're yoimg. It's your only 
chance. 

Elinor. I daresay you're right. 

Lucy. I know I am. I didn't ask to be brought into 
this world. And when I get out of this mess I mean 
to have a good time to make up for this. 

[GiBBARD enters at door B. 

GiBBARD. [To Lucy.] The porter has brought up 
your trunk from the station, miss. 

Lucy. Have it taken up [To Elinor.] Can I 

sleep with you? 

Elinor. Yes, of course. Have the trunk taken to 
my room, Gibbard. 

GiBBARD. Yes, miss. [Exit door R. 

Lucy. Thanks. I can't face the night by myself. 
I get the horrors. And then I double the dose. Oh, if 
once I get out of this mess 

Elinor. Yes. We must hush it up. 

Lucy. You'll help me, old girl? 

Elinor. You know I will. 

[Kissing her very affectionately. 

Lucy. The first thing is money — money — money. 



THE LIE 



Elinor. Yes. It will have to be done 

Lucy. What? 

Elinor, Mother's things. My locket and cross, and 
your rings. 

Lucy. My rings have gone — long ago. 

Elinor. Lucy! No, I won't reproach you. Mine 
must go. They ought to fetch a hundred and fifty 
pounds. That will tide us over a little. Then you 
must get away somewhere till it's over. 

Lucy. You'll come with me? 

Elinor. Yes; but you can stay on here for the next 
two months. 

Lucy. No; it wouldn't be safe. Gibbard might sus- 
pect. I daren't run any risks. 

Elinor, Well, I'll come to you in January, directly 
after the County Ball, 

Lucy. Couldn't you get out of that? 

Elinor. No; I've promised. And I want to be here 
at the Abbey all the time till then. 

Lucy. I can't face it by myself for two months. 
You must be with me, Nell. You must! There's no- 
body else, 

Elinor, I'll come and see you whenever I can. And 
I'll write to you every day. 

Lucy. It's the nights — the dreadful nights — you 
don't know — I shall go mad. Nell, you might give up 
the County Ball. 

Elinor. Surely you don't grudge me that. It's the 
one little thing all this year. You know I'd do any- 
thing for you — everything. I did give up Aunt Kate 
and London. 

Lucy. And then there's the expense of it. Your 



THE LIE 83 

evening- dress and so on, A hundred and fifty pounds 
won't go far — it won't carry us over this. 

Elinor. It must, somehow. I can't give up the 
County Ball. Don't ask me. 

LucT. Very well. If you don't come with me, you 
won't see me alive again after I leave here. 

Elinor. Lucy! That's cowardly! That's wicked! 

Lucy. I know it is! But I can't help it. You 
don't realize — you don't know how I'm tempted every 
night to end it. I'm desperate. I can't trust myself. 
Nell, I'm not threatening. If you don't come away 
with me, I shall do it some night. I know I shall. 

Elinor. Lucy! 

Lucy. Won't you do it for me, Nell? I'd do it for 
you. If you don't, it will be the last thing I shall ever 
ask of you. You'll be sorry afterward that you re- 
fused. Nell, mother would wish you to help me. You 
know she would. 

Elinor. [After a very long pause, says very 
quietly.'] Very well. I'll do it. 

Lucy. {Hugs her heartily.'] Nell, you are an angel! 
I'll never forget it. Never! 

Elinor. Now we must make our plans. 

Lucy. It's the money. 

Elinor. The Tallertons ought to help you. They're 
rich enough. Was Sir Thomas very angiy? 

Lucy. Yes. He almost turned me out of the house. 

Elinor. It must have come as a great shock to them. 
When they get over it, they'll think better of it. Lucy, 
I'll go to them. 

Lucy. That is good of you. 

Elinor. I'll see Lady Tallerton. They must make 
some provision for the child. 



34. THE LIE 

Lucy. Yes — perhaps they'll listen to you. 

Elinor. They shall. I won't leave them till they do. 

Lucy. It must be done at once. They're leaving for 
Biarritz on Monday. 

Elinor. I'll see them to-morrow. They're at East- 
bourne? 

Lucy. Yes. And, Nell, I've been thinking Brighton 
would be the best place for me to stay till it's over. 

Elinor. It's close to Eastbourne 

LuCT. Yes, and we're not likely to meet anyone we 
know. If "we do, it won't be remarked. 

Elinor. Very well. It shall be Brighton. 

Lucy. I've thought it all out. I must go as a mar- 
ried woman. My husband is in India, and he has sent 
me home. We shall have to change our names, both 
of us, and take different ones 

Elinor. I shall hate that. 

Lucy. It has got to be done. 

Elinor. Yes. It's no use shirking. We'll get away 
to-morrow. 

Lucy. What shall we tell Grandy? That someone 
is at Brighton who will be a good match for me ! Yes, 
and you must come at once and chaperon me. 

Elinor. Yes, that will do. And, afterwards — some- 
one must take care of the child. 

Lucy. That won't be difficult. 

Elinor. We needn't meet that till it comes. Well, 
we've decided. We'll go to-morrow. 

Lucy. Oh, Nell, you are splendid! I'll never for- 
get your kindness! [Kissing her heartily.] 

Elinor. Cheer up, old girl! I'll see you through it. 

Lucy. I begin to feel the worst is over, now- I'm with 



THE LIE 35 

you. It will be hushed up, and I shall make a good 
marriage by and by, shan't I? 
Elinor. Yes, dear! 

[Enter Sir Robert B. He lias been drinking, 

and, without being tipsy, is stupidly 

jovial. 

Sir Robert. [Seeing Lucy.] Hillo ! Heigh ! Heigh ! 

Heigh! What's this? Lucy! Well, weU, well! This 

is a surprise! [Kissing her.] Come to stay with us 

and brighten the place up? 

Lucy. No, Grandy. I've just run down for the 
night. 

Sir Robert. Nonsense ! Shan't let you go ! Nell, 
I've been thinking it over. We'll give a big dinner 
party, and we'll ask young Forster and Lady Beteh- 
worth, and all the rest of the upstarts ! We'll let them 
see the Shales aren't played out yet. Lucy, you've 
come down just in time. 

Lucy. No, Grandy, I must run away again to- 
morrow. 

Sir Robert, Shan't hear of it! Shan't hear of it! 
Let's take a good look at you! [Admiring her dress.] 
Nell, that's the way to dress ! She'll go off before you. 
She knows the way to get a husband! I'm proud of 
you! You're a credit to the old family, 

[Drawing her to him and kissing her again. 
Lucy submits with evident reluctance, and 
disengages herself. 
Lucy. I'll run upstairs and take my things off. 
Come up to me as soon as you can, Nell. 

[Exit by stairs L. 
Sir Robert. She's a credit to the family. And, by 
Jove! We'll keep her here, now we've got her. 



S6 THE LIE 

Elinor. Grandy, I'm going to take Lucy to Brigh- 
ton to-morrow. 

Sib Robert. Brighton? Brighton? Brighton? What 
for? 

Elinor. There's a chance of her making a good 
match there. 

Sir Robert. Good match ! Heigh ! Heigh ! Heigh ! 
I knew she would! She knows how to manage it. 

[Hamp enters R. with a decanter of port wine 
and wine glasses. 

Hamp. I thought you'd like to sample this before 
dinner, Sir Robert. 

Sir Robert. Right. Give me a glass. Good match, 
eh? We'll drink to Lucy's good match. 

[Enter Miss Pinsent L., with an open letter 
in her hand. 

Miss Pinsent. Will you see if this is right before I 
post it? [Offering letter to Elinor. 

Elinor. I've had to change my plans, Miss Pinsent. 
I shan't need an evening dress. 

Miss Pinsent. Not need ? 

Elinor. I'm not going to the ball. I've had an invi- 
tation to stay with some friends. I must get my dresses 
there. 

Miss Pinsent. Then I needn't send this? 

Elinor. No — please don't. 

[Exit Miss Pinsent L., a little perplexed. 
Hamp has poured out two glasses of wine. 

Sir Robert. Take a glass of this, Nell, and drink to 
Lucy's good match. 

Elinor. No, thank you. 

Sir Robert. You won't? 

Elinor. [More firmly.] No, thank you! 



THE LIE 37 

Sir Robert. [Offended.] Oh, very well! Hamp, you 
know a glass of good wine. What's your opinion of 
that? 

[Hamp takes a glass, Sir Robert takes up the 
other. 
Hamp. [Drinking.] A very nice rich silky wine, Sir 
Robert. 

Sir Robert. To Lucy's good match! And "Go thou 
and do likewise!" [Drinking. 

[Elinor takes no notice. She has remained 
standing. She hardens her face, to pre- 
vent the tears. She just turns, and sees 
the pattern of rich dress material, her 
hand falls on it, she turns a/way her head. 

CURTAIN 

[Two and a half years pass between Acts I and II.] 



ACT II 

Scene : The same. It is now afternoon in early sum- 
mer, with bright sunshine coming through the 
open windows. The landscape outside is in June 
sunshine. Discover Sir Robert, Hamp, and Gib- 
bard. Sir Robert is rather older and shabbier 
than in the first act. He has on a pair of very 
old shabby boots covered with dust. Hamp also 
has suffered some deterioration. Gibbard is still 
untidy in a morning dress. 

Sir Robert. I don't believe it 

Hamp. Gibbard will bear me out in every word I 
say. 

Sir Robert. But I'm not asking Gibbard to clean my 

boots [Holding out his foot. 

Hamp. No, Sir Robert. But if Gibbard bas got to 
wait hand and foot on Miss Lucy it stands to reason 
everj^hing goes wrong all over the house. 

Gibbard. She wants twenty times as much done for 
her as Miss Elinor. 

Hamp. And what's the result? Who's the first to 
suffer for it? You are, Sir Robert. 

Sir Robert. Suffer? By Jove, I do suffer! 
Hamp. We all have to suffer, both in mind, body, 
and estate. 

Gibbard. I should have left the week after she 
came, only Miss Elinor persuaded me to stay. 

38 



THE LIE 39 

Hamp. The old place Iiasn't been the same since 
she came. I often ask myself this question: "What's 
going to happen next?" 

Sir Robert. My boots are going to get cleaned. 
That's what is going to happen next, or I'll know the 
reason why. 

[Lucy has entered L., very well dressed. 

LucT. What's the matter? 

Sir Robert. Everything's the matter. My guns are 
never cleaned. My clothes are never brushed. Elinor 
says that Forster and his friend may be dropping in, 
at any moment. That's a pretty pair of boots for a 
Shale of Shale Abbey to be seen in, isn't it? 

Hamp. I'll go and see if anything can be done, 
Sir Robert. 

Sir Robert. There's my old hunting kit — turn out 
the whole lot — boots and breeches and waistcoats and 
all — we'll see if we can't get a decent rig out among 
them. 

Hamp. I will. Sir Robert. [Exit Hamp L. 

Lucy. Gibbard, my room hasn't been tidied 

GiBBARD. If you want your room tidied, you'll have 
to do it yourself. I've told Sir Robert, and I'm going 
to tell Miss Elinor. [Exit Gibbard B. 

Lucy. Oh, these everlasting servants! And this 
everlasting mess ! Grandy, I've had just about enough 
of this ! 

Sir Robert. So have I. 

Lucy. I mean to get out of it. 

Sir Robert. So do I. But I'm hanged if I see how. 

Lucy. There's only one way: I must make a good 
marriage. 

Sir Robert. Well, why don't you? You were away 



40 THE LIE 

at Brighton six months. Why didn't you pidl it off 
then? 

LucTl I told you — ^the man died. 

Sir Robert. Well, you've been going about to dif- 
ferent places ever since. 

Lucy. I haven't met with anybody suitable. That's 
the reason I came back to the Abbey. 

Sir Robert. Not much chance for you here. 

Lucy. [After a little pause.] Grandy, I think Mr. 
Forster likes me. 

Sir Robert. Likes you? Whenever he comes, he 
seems to hang about Elinor. 

Lucy. Nell's the elder, and of course he pays her 
the most attention — outwardly. 

Sir Robert. Well, Elinor or you, so long as he 
makes up his mind. But he has been home two 
months now, and he doesn't seem to come to the 
scratch. 

Lucy. I don't wonder he holds back, seeing us in 
this wretched state. 

Sir Robert. He's like the rest of the young men in 
these days. One of them holds back — and the other 
dies — there's no chivalry left in the country. 

Lucy. Grandy, I've got a plan. I've thought it all 
out. You must help me, and then I can help you and 
Elinor. 

Sir Robert. Go on, my dear. What's your plan? 

Lucy. If Mr. Forster stays on at the Hall, we must 
have an entire change here, get some new servants, and 
take our place in the country again. 

Sir Robert. That's what I've been saying for years. 
But Where's the money to come from? 

Lucy. I can manage a little, perhaps 



THE LIE 41 

Sir Robert. You? Where from? 

Lucy. Never mind. I can manage a hundred or 
two, and for the rest we mustn't be afraid to lamich 
out. 

Sir Robert. Launch out? Just what I've always 
told Elinor. Launch out! 

Lucy. By the time we have to pay people, I hope I 
shall be safely married to Mr. Forster. 

Sir Robert. Good ! Good ! That's a splendid plan I 
It will take a bit of managing, eh? 

Lucy. Yes; I shall have to be rather "nippy." "We 
must find out Mr. Forster's plans. If he's going back 
to Egypt, I must get out to Cairo for the winter. 

Sir Robert, Yes. Capital! Capital! And what's 
to become of me? 

Lucy. I shall take care of you and Elinor. We 
must try to let the Abbey — there's this friend of Mr. 
Forster's who's coming to look it over. 

Sir Robert. Yes. Elinor says he may drop in any 
afternoon. She has just been badgering me to trim 
myself up a bit. 

[Looking at Ms clothes and showing his hoots. 

Lucy. If we could only get this Mr. — Dibdin, isn't it 
— to take the Abbey. 

Sir Robert. Ah ! There's another crying shame. 

Lucy. What? 

Sir Robert. This Dibdin with his "Gift of Health"; 
makes a fortune out of his quack medicine stuff, and 
then comes and takes Shale Abbey over our heads. 

Lucy. He hasn't taken Shale Abbey. Let's hope he 
will. And he didn't make the fortmie. His grand- 
father made it for him. 

Sir Robert. Yes; and [solemnly] thank God, 



42 THE LIE 

Lucy, your grandfather isn't that stamp! I didn't 
make a fortune out of a beastly thirteen penny-half- 
penny mixture! And what's the consequence? I've 
got to slouch about the place like a broken-down game 
keeper. Look at those boots! That's what England 
does for her sons. 

Lucy. She'll have to do a little better than that for 
one of her daughters. Now, Gi'andy, if this Mr. Dibdin 
takes the Abbey, we must make it a condition that he 
does up the Dower House for you and Elinor. 

Sir Robert. That's a good idea. By Jove, yes — 
I must have somewhere to spend my old age in ! Yes, 
and do it up comfortably, too ! 

Lucy. Now, Grandy, you mi;st do all you can to get 
me married to Mr. Forster. 

Sir Robert. Yes — what? 

Lucy. [Fondling Mm.] You might mention to him 
what a bright, helpful little creature I am about the 
house, and how thoughtful and kind I am to you and 
Elinor. 

Sir Robert. Yes, yes, I will ! I'll lay it on thick. 

Lucy. No, not too thick. Though it's quite trute. 
You know, Grandy, if I do many Mr. Forster, I mean 
to be a real fairy godmother to you and Elinor. 

Sir Robert. Yes, of course you can — a real fairy 
godmother. 

Lucy. And, Grandy, don't say anything to Elinor 
about Mr. Foi'ster and me, except that you think he 

likes me Hush! 

[Elinor enters R. She is plainly dressed, 
not as well as Lucy. 

Elinor. Lucy, what have you been saying to Gib- 
bard? She has given me notice. 



THE LIE 43 

Lucy. That's a relief. 

Elinor. Relief! Gibbard is our only stand-by. If 
she goes, we shall have to turn charwomen. 

Sir Robert. By Jove, yes [Looking at Ms 

clothes.] I only want an apron and a pair of clogs to 
make a perfect picture of me. 

Lucy. Hamp had better go with her. 

Elinor. But we owe them wages. 

Lucy. We must pay them. 

Elinor. There's more than a year due to Gibbard. 

Lucy. And Ilamp? 

Elinor. I don't know. It's so long since we settled 
his account. 

Sir Robert. Hamp settles his account as he goes 
along — in liquor. 

Lucy. Then I should think he's a good many years 
on the right side. 

Sir Robert. He takes good care of that. He had 
more than half that last dozen of whiskey. 

[Enter Hamp L. 

Hamp. I've laid them all out. Sir Robert. I think 
you'll manage a tidyish turnout among 'em. There's 
three or four very showy wescots. 

Sir Robert. Waistcoats! It's the confounded boots 
that never will turn up. 

Hamp. There's the pair of big felt shoes, Sir Rob- 
ert, that you wore when you had the gout. 

Sir Robert. Let's have a look at them. 

[Exit Hamp L. 

Sir Robert. I'll go and see what I can do in the 
way of a rig-out. [To Lucy,] You talk to Elinor. 
Make her see we've got to launch out. 

[Exit Sir Robert L. 



44. THE LIE 

Elinor. Launch out? 

Lucy. Yes, you dear old thing! "We've got to make 
a fight now, or go under forever. 

Elinor. If I hadn't made a fight, we should have 
gone under long ago. 

Lucy. Well, pull yourself together, old girl, for one 
final struggle. We must have some new servants. I'm 
glad Gibbard is going 

Elinor. She isn't. I've made her promise to stay. 

Lucy. That's a pity. We must get a new smart 
parlor maid and butler. 

Elinor. Where's the money to come from? 

Lucy. Perhaps this Mr. Dibdin may take the Abbey. 
If not, we must draw on my four hundred a year. 

Elinor. We have drawn on it. The next year is 
already gone. 

Lucy. The Tallertons must pay another year in ad- 
vance. 

Elinor. You know they won't. Sir Thomas said 
he'd never do it again. 

Lucy. He must do it. It's for his own grandson. 
Nell, won't you write him a very nice letter and say 
that Dick is growing, and we want to bring him up as 
he would wish — for his father's sake — you know how 
to put it. 

Elinor. I can't do it, Lucy. It isn't fair to the 
Tallertons. They've behaved very generously. 

Lucy. Generously! Four hundred a year! My boy 
would have had his twenty thousand a year if his 
father had lived a month longer. The cursed luck 
of it! 

Elinor. It's no use dwelling on that. It's lucky 
you've come out of it so well, and without anyone sus- 



THE LIE 45 

pecting. You're clear now for the future — except for 
Dick. 

Lucy. Except for Dick.' 

Elinor. You don't wish now that he hadn't come? 

Lucy. No, no! He is a dear, isn't he? 

Elinor. Yes. Lucy, I wish we could have him here 
sometimes. 

Lucy. Have him here? 

Elinor. Mrs. Callard could take rooms at Waventry 
and bring him over. 

Lucy. It wouldn't be safe. 

Elinor. Nobody knows he isn't her child. We can 
trust her thoroughly. I long to see him again. 

Lucy. And don't you think I do? I'm going to 
Brighton the first chance I get. 

Elinor. Yes. I'll come with you. 

Lucy. [Jealously.] Nell, you mustn't steal his heart 
away from me. 

Elinor. You know I wouldn't do that. 

Lucy. I'll go to Brighton next week. We mustn't 
risk bringing him here. I must be careful. Espe- 
cially just now. 

Elinor. Why just now? 

Lucy. [Watching Elinor very closely.] Nell, you 
haven't noticed — or guessed anything? 

Elinor. No. What? 

Lucy. I wouldn't mention it to anyone but you. 
[Throwing her arms around Elinor's neck.] Nell, I 
believe Mr. Forster likes me. [Elinor rises, startled, 
she withdraws from Lucy's embrace.] You haven't 
noticed ? 

Elinor. No. What makes you think that? 

Lucy. Only his manner when I'm alone with him. 



46 THE LIE 

Elinor. Have you been mucli alone with him? 

Lucy. Several times. Why do you question me in 
that tone? 

Elinor. Nothing. Has he said anything to you ? 

JjUCY. Not directly. But of coui'se a woman always 
guesses • 

Elinor. And you guess What makes you guess ? 

Lucy. Nell, you aren't jealous? 

Elinor. No. But you remember what I told you 
about the County Ball? 

Lucy. That was over two years ago. Has he said 
anything to you since he came home? 

Elinor. He hasn't actually spoken, but Oh, 

don't let's say anything more about it ! 

Lucy. Of course, darling, if it is really you, I should 

be pleased for your sake — though [Beginning to 

cry.] I really have grown to love him, Nell. I can't 
help it — but I do. And you always said that if a man 
really loved me he would forgive. 

Elinor. He can't very well forgive unless he knows. 

Lucy. Of course I shall tell him. Nell, you'll never 
breathe a word to him? 

Elinor. You can ask me that? 

Lucy. No, of course not. We'll say no more. We 
may both be mistaken. He's not likely to think much 
of either of us while we're in this muddle. For both 
our sakes, we must do up this hole, and get some smart 
servants. 

Elinor. We mustn't go any further into debt. You 
haven't sent Mrs. Callard the last month's payment 
for Dick. 

Lucy. Oh, don't keep on nagging me about that. 



• THE LIE 47 

You might remember that it's my four hundred a year 
that keeps us going 

Elinor. I don't forget. But we are so terribly in 
debt. 

Lucy. So's everybody else that I've ever met. You 
dear old thing, you are so hopelessly old fashioned, so 
hopelessly out of it ! 

Elinor. [With quiet bitterness.] I wasn't out of it 
when I went to Brighton with you, and begged Sir 
Thomas to make some provision for you, and never 
left him till I got it. I wasn't out of it then. 

Lucy. No, you darling! [Again embracing her.] 
And I shall never forget it. 

[Enter Gibbard R., with a note on tray. 

GiBBARD. Mr. Forster's showfer has brought this for 
you. [Handing note. 

Elinor. Mr. Forster's chauffeur? [Opening note. 

Gibbard. Mr. Forster and another gentleman have 
just motored up, miss. They're at the Dower House. 

Elinor. [Having glanced at note.] Ask the chauf- 
feur to say we shall be pleased to see Mr. Forster and 
Mr. Dibdin. And tell Sir Robert that Mr. Forster is 
here. 

Gibbard. Yes, miss. 

Elinor. Then please come back to me. 

Gibbard. Yes, miss. [Exit R. 

Lucy. Then they're here! 

Elinor. Yes. Of course they've come to look over 
the house the very day everything is upset. 

Lucy. And I'm looking such a fright. I must change 
my dress. 

[Enter Sir Robert. He has changed his 
dress. He wears light-colored thick tweed 



48 THE LIE 

trousers, an, old fancy hunting waistcoat,' 
and an old black velvet dinner jacket. 
He lias put on the black felt shoes, which 
are much too large. 

Sir Robert. I see Forster has just motored past the 
lodge. 

Elinor. Yes; he and his friend are at the Dower 
House. [To Lucy, who is going ojf.] Lucy, you'll 
help us get the place straight. 

Lucy. Yes. I'll see to my own room. 

[Exit at door L. 

Sir Robert. [Exhibiting himself to Elinor.] Well, 
how's this? Not so bad, eh? Except the damned 
shoes ! 

Elinor. You do look a perfect picture! 

Sir Robert. Well, it will have to do. Now, Elinor, 
if this patent-medicine fellow does take a fancy to the 
place, he'll have to pay a biggish rent, and he'll have 
to do up the Dower House for vis to live in. 

Elinor. Let's be thankful if we can get a fair rent. 

Sir Robert. Fair rent ! For Shale . Abbey ! With 
all its associations. And to a confounded thirteen 
penny-ha'penny mixture man ! 

Elinor. Mr. Dibdin is an Oxford man, and I sup- 
pose he is a gentleman. 

Sir Robert. It takes three generations to make a 
gentleman. It took twenty generations to make us. 

Elinor. What a waste of time ! [Enter Hamp L. 

Elinor. Hamp, a gentleman is coming to look over 
the Abbey. We must make haste and get it tidy. 

Hamp. There's no time for that, miss. The gentle- 
men are now coming up the lawn. 

Elinor. [Looking out of window.] Yes. Grandy, 



THE LIE 49 

go out and meet them, and keep them talking until 
we can get the place straight. [Glancing out of win- 
dow.] Make haste! They're coming! 

Sir Robert. [Hurries to door, stops, looks down at 
his shoes, is struck with an idea.] Where's that old big 
stick of mine? I think I'll have the gout again. 

[Hurries off. 
Elinor. Now, Hamp, please help me. This Mr. Dib- 
din may take the Abbey. 

Hamp. And what's to become of the family? 
Elinor. We shall get another house, and take you 
with us. Now please go upstairs and see that Sir 
Robert's room is tidy. 

Hamp. It will be a rush. But I'll put my shoulders 
to the wheel. 

Elinor. Oh, do, for once! [Exit Hamp L. 

[Gerald Forster strolls up to the window, 
outside. 
Gerald. [Through the window.] How d'ye do? 
Elinor. [Shakes Gerald's hand.] How d'ye do? 
Gerald. May I come in? 
Elinor. Yes; do. 

[Gerald disappears from window. Left alone, 
Elinor puts one or two things straight 
about the room, then stands in pleased 
expectancy looking at the door. Gerald 
enters right. 
Gerald. [Shaking hands.] I hope our call is quite 
convenient. 

Elinor. Oh, quite! 

Gerald. I've left my friend, Noll Dibdin, looking 
around the Dower House with Sir Robert. 



50 THE LIE 

Elinor. I hope Mr. Dibdin will take a fancy to the 
Abbey. 

Gerald. Noll's rather a casual, uncertain fellow. 
Nobody knows exactly who or what he will take a fancy 
to. But I hope he'll settle down here close to me. 

Elinor. Then you do think of settling down at the 
Hall? 

Gerald. I should like to. But the Government is 
pressing me to go back to Egypt and look after the 
construction of the other dam. 

Elinor. You've done some splendid work out there, 
the papers say. 

Gerald. Do they? I'm fond of the work. I want to 
see it through, so that when it's finished I can say: 
"That was my little job on the face of the earth. I've 
done it, and, by Jove, I've done it rather well !" 

Elinor. But the papers said the dam was finished 
and working magnificently. 

Gerald. That was the big job with all the kudos to 
it. This other is going to be a nasty, ticklish business, 
which may plague us for years, and then beat us in the 
end. But I can't bear the thought of letting it beat 
me. Do you think I ought to go out? 

Elinor. [Her face lighting up with pleasure,] I? 
How can I tell? Do you think you ought to go? 

Gerald. Yes, I ought. 

Elinor. Then go. 

Gerald. But I ought to stay here in England. 

Elinor. Then stay. 

Gerald. There's my estate here — I've had to neg- 
lect it all these years. [Approaching her tenderly.] 
Shall I stay? 

Elinor. Why do you ask me? 



THE LIE 51 

Gerald. I won't for the moment. I'll ask you some- 
thing else. Why didn't you keep your promise to me 
to come to the County Ball? 

Elinor. I wrote you. The moment after you left 
me that day I received a pressing invitation to go to 
some people 

Gerald. In England? I've no right to ask 

Elinor. It was at Brighton. 

Gerald. Was it so very pressing? 

Elinor. Yes. I was obliged to go. 

Gerald. But if you were at Brighton, you could 
surely have come home for the ball. 

Elinor. [Embarrassed.] I couldn't get away just 
then. I should have written to you again, but I saw 
in the papers you'd gone back to Egypt. 

Gerald. I was only staying in England because 
you'd promised to come to the County Ball. When 
you wrote me you couldn't come, I left for Egypt the 
next day. 

Elinor. You must have thought it very strange of 
me. 

Gerald. I did. I should have come back last year 
to ask you the reason, and to ask you another ques- 
tion. But I was nailed to my work, and I didn't know 
whether 

Elinor. Whether ? 

Gerald. [Very tenderly.] Whether it would be any 
use — my coming. Would it have been? 

[Voices of Sir Robert and Noll Dibdin 
heard outside. 

Sir Robert. [Opening door B.] We shall find them 
in here, I expect. 



52 THE LIE 

[Oliver Dibdin enters. Noll Dibdin is 
rather over thirty, with humorous, irreg- 
ular features and a careless, mocking 
manner; well dressed in a slovenly way; 
very careless and easy-going. Sm Robert 
hobbles after him with a stick and a pre- 
tended attack of gout. 
Sir Robert. This is my granddaughter, Elinor. Mr. 
Dibdin, my dear. 

Elinor. [Coming forward, offering Jiand.] How 
d'ye do? 

Noll. [As he comes forward, has a start of recog- 
nition and a momentary hesitation, which Elinor and 
Gerald notice.l Excuse me. [Shaking hands.^ For 
the moment I thought we had met. 

Elinor. [Looking at him frankly.] I don't think so. 
Noll. No, I see I was mistaken. 

[At times during the scene he steals a furtive 

look at her. 

Sir Robert. [Hobbling on his stick.] This is the 

drawing-room — used to be part of the old hall. It's 

like all the rest of the place, tumbling to pieces. We 

don't attempt to disguise it. 

Elinor. [To Noll.] No. It wouldn't be much use, 
would it? 

Sir Robert. But its proportions are noble — very 
noble. Sit down, Mr. Dibdin. Oh ! Oh ! Oh ! 

[With pretended twinges of gout. 

Noll. I'm sure your gout is paining you. Sir Robert. 

Sir Robert. No, no. It's the nuisance of being 

obliged to shuffle about the place in a pair of shoes 

like these. [Has another txvinge.] Oh! This is ray 

legacy from a long line of hard-drinking Shales. They 



THE LIE 53 

didn't leave me much else. You've been luckier in the 
way of legacies than I have, Mr. Dibdin. 

Noll. I wouldn't say that, Sir Robert. My grand- 
father decimated the English people, mowed them down 
by their thousands, and swindled them out of three 
hundred thousand pounds by what he cruelly and satiri- 
cally called his "Gift of Health." 

[Elinor shows surprise. 

Gerald. [To her.] You mustn't take the least no- 
tice of Dibdin. When he means anything at all, he 
means just the opposite of what he says. 

Noll. My dear Gerald, I maintain that Dibdin's 
"Gift of Health" was the most devastating scourge 
ever concocted by a patent-medicine quack, who knew 
nothing of the human machine, and less of the poison- 
ous drugs he was putting into it. 

Sir Robert. He did very well out of it. 

Noll. Yes, that's the cause of my remorse. 

Sir Robert. Remorse? 

Noll. I calculate that Dibdin's "Gift of Health" 
depopulated the British Empire to the extent of a 
city the size of Bristol. Wouldn't you feel conscience- 
stricken if you had thoughtlessly accepted a legacy 
made in that way? 

Sir Robert. Well, I should certainly feel uncom- 
fortable. 

Noll. It's true that many of those whom we — a — 
removed probably deserved to be killed. [Elinor 
looks at him in astonishment, and turns to Gerald.] 
And some of them may have gone to a better woi'ld. 

Sir Robert. Let's hope so ! 

Noll. Let's hope so ! God help 'em if they haven't ! 

Gerald. [Explains to Elinor.] All this means that 



54 THE LIE 

Dibdin is quietly doing no end of good in the world 
and enjoying himself in doing it. 

Noll. I beg pardon, my dear Gerald, my remorse is 
quite as excruciating as Sir Robert's gout. 

[Looking fixedly at Elinor, whom he has been 

quietly observing all the while. Sir 

Robert groans. 

Elinor. I hope it doesn't affect your appetite. 

Noll. Happily no. And if I can only get rid of 

some part of my ill-gotten gains — not too much — say 

a hundred thousand pounds or so 

Elinor. That oughtn't to be diflBcult 



Sir Robert. By Jove, no! Are you making any 
considerable stay down here? 

Noll. I don't know. This might be a nice secluded 
spot to mature my plans. There's the old English 
landscape, which my father disfigured with hideous red 
and yellow advertisements 

Sir Robert. They used to be all along our railway 
line to Waventry. 

Noll. Then I owe the landscape some reparation. 
One of my pet schemes is to add a little beauty to the 
countryside by piously restoring some of our old man- 
sions and Abbeys. 

Sir Robert. That's a good idea! I'm very struck 
with that. Now, Elinor, can't we take Mr. Dibdin 
around ? 

Elinor. [With a meaning look at Sir Robert.] 
Will you show Mr. Dibdin the stables and I'll see if the 
upstairs rooms are ready? 

Sir Robert. Yes. And Lucy shall entertain Forster 
the while. Where is she — where's my little fairy god- 
mother? I'll see where she is. Lucy! 



THE LIE 55 

[Hurrying to stairs, forgets Ms stick and Ms 
pretended gout; suddenly remembers it, 
stops, groans; Noll gives Mm stick; he 
hobbles off L. with twinges and groans to 
the door. 
Elinor. I'll see if the upstairs rooms are ready. We 
want you to see the Abbey at its best. 

Noll. But if I am to take it, I must have it at its 
worst, so as to give full scope to my mania for pious 
restoration. I hope you have a haimted chamber. 

Elinor. I'm afraid not. Though the Shale of Henry 
the Eighth's time was murdered by his cousin in Lucy's 
room. 

Noll. And he doesn't haunt it? Disown him for 
an ancestor. Any subterranean passages? 

Elinor. Not a yard of one. And not a single secret 
panel. 

Noll. [Shakes Ms head disapprovingly.] I wanted 
an old place with all the medieval apparatus in full 

creaking order 

Elinor. If you'll wait a few minutes, I'll try and 

summon up a few ancient bogies [Exit L. 

[Noll has watched her off, and remains stand- 
ing. 
Gerald. "Why did you watch Miss Shale so closely 
all the time? 

Noll. Did I? It was veiy rude of me. 

Gerald. You have really met her? 

Noll. No. 

Gerald. No? 

Noll. I think not. What does it matter if I have? 

Gerald, Then you have? Tell me! 

Noll. It's not worth mentioning. 



56 THE LIE 

Gerald. Then why not tell me? [A longish pcmse.] 
You won't? 

Noll. Oh, these girls are your neighbours — you'll be 
constantly meeting them 

Gerald. What of that? Why shouldn't I? You've 
raised my curiosity. Aren't you going to satisfy it? 

Noll. No. 

Gerald. Noll, don't make a mystery of it. Tell me. 
I ask you as my oldest friend. 

Noll. Two years ago last April I was staying at 
Brighton with my old friend. Doctor Denby Rodd. 

Gerald. Two years ago last April? 

Noll. Yes. Denby Rodd has one of the largest prac- 
tices in Brighton. He manages my Children's Con- 
valescent Home on the Downs. When we were on the 
front one day, we met a rather striking girl. 

Gerald. Miss Shale? 

Noll. Yes. Rodd stopped to speak to her, and when 
he came back he said : "That's rather a curious story." 
I asked him what it was, but he wouldn't tell me. The 
next day I was coming away, and he saw me off at the 
station. There was the same girl on the platform. 

Gerald. Miss Shale? 

Noll. Yes. He spoke to her again. Apparently 
she was in some distress. She'd lost her luggage, and 
a nurse, and a sister, and a baby. 

Gerald. Baby? 

Noll. Yes. Rodd went to make inquiries for her. 
She didn't notice me. Meantime, the sister and nui-se 
and baby came up. They'd got into the wrong train. 
Rodd put them right, and saw them off. When he 
came back, he said: "I wonder who they really are?" 

Gerald. Didn't he know? 



THE LIE 57 

Noll. No. He said: "Dibdin, if you want to be 
believed when you're telling a lie, don't tell it too 
often, or too emphatically." 

Gerald. Telling a lie? Go on. 

Noll. "And if you wish to pass under an assumed 
name " 

Gerald. Assumed name! 

Noll. "Don't keep on dragging it in." Then he told 
me that Miss Shale had come to him ' a few months 
before, and told him that his services would be re- 
quired — for a coming event. She said that she had 
brought the sister with her, and that the husband was 
in India. Eodd said he should have believed there was 
a husband in India, if they hadn't talked so much 
about him. 

[Enter Lucy and Sir Robert L. Noll recog- 
nizes Lucy. Lucy is very prettily 
■ dressed in a fashionable summer gown 
which is in marked contrast to Elinor's 
quite plain one. 

Sir Robert. [Hobbling in after TjVCY.] Here she is! 
Here's my little fairy godmother! [Introducing.] 
Mr. Dibdin — Miss Lucy Shale. 

Lucy. [Shaking hands.] How d'ye do? 

Noll. How d'ye do? 

Lucy. Good afternoon, Mr. Forster. 

Gerald. Good afternoon. 

Sir Robert. Now, Mr. Dibdin, we'll have a look at 
the stables, if you're ready. 

Noll. Quite. 

Sir Robert. You'll find them very tumbledown and 
mouldy — very sad — vei-y sad! 



58 THE LIE 

Noll. Very sad — very sad! Let's keep them from 
mouldering any fui-ther. 

Sir Robert. Forster, Lucy will look after you — 
[patting Lucy on the shoulder] — my little fairy god- 
mother ! 

Lucy. Go away, Grandy. You're always flattering 
me! 

Sir Robert. Flattering you ! I don't know what the 
old place would be without you. [Kissing her.] Come 
along, Mr. Dibdin. 

[Noll and Sir Robert go off at door B., Sir 
Robert calling Noll's attention to Gerald 
and Lucy as he goes off. Noll is startled 
by Sir Robert's gesture, which indicates 
an attachment between LuCY and Gerald. 
Exit Noll after Sir Robert, much con- 
cerned. 
Lucy. [Steals a look at Gerald, who is standing 
apart, distressed by Noll's story.] Grandfather makes 
himself really foolish over me. And, after all, I simply 
do my duty to him and Elinor. [He does not reply as 
she moves toward him.] It's such a delight to see a few 
neighbours sometimes. I hope you're going to stay on 
at The Hall? 

Gerald. [Absorbed.] I'm not certain. They're press- 
ing me to go back to Egypt. 

Lucy. I've such a longing to see Egypt. You're not 
much in Cairo, are you? 

Gerald. I generally run up for a month or two in 
the season. 

Lucy. I think I must manage to get out next winter. 
If I do, I want to get right into the heart of the coun- 
try. I wonder if you could help me? 



THE LIE 59 

Gerald. Anything I can do 

Lucy. Thanks. I should like to see all your won- 
derful engineering works. 

Gerald. I'm afraid that's hardly possible for ladies. 
They're quite away from civilization. 

Lucy. Oh, I don't mind roughing it ! And when I've 
made up my mind to do a thing, I always do it. But 
you're not certain of being in Egypt next winter? 

Gerald. My plans are quite unsettled. I'd some 
thoughts of Brighton [Lucy has a scarcely per- 
ceptible shock. He is watching her rather closely.] 
Do you know Brighton? 

Lucy. No. Only very slightly. 

Gerald. Your sister was telling me she stayed there 
two years ago. 

Lucy. Did she? I don't remember. I was with my 
Aunt Kate. Perhaps Elinor may have run down there 
for a day or two. [Seeing that he is looking at her.] 
Ah, yes, I remember ; she did go ! 

Gerald. For a day or two? 

Lucy. It may have been longer. [Getting a little 
alarmed, and unable to avoid showing it.] Why are you 
asking me? 

Gerald. I thought perhaps you might have gone 
with her. 

Lucy. No. [Getting more alarmed.] Did she tell 
you I went with her? 

Gerald. No. She mentioned it quite casually. 

Lucy. I was with my Aunt Kate all that time 

[Seeing that he is still keenly watching her.] Is there 
anything more you wish to know? 

Gerald. No. I understood your sister to say that 



60 THE LIE 

her visit was very urgent I'm very rude — pray 

forgive me. 

[He turns away, and is going off. Her alarm 
has increased. She follows him. 

Lucy. Mr. Forster — please tell me — you seem to 
think there is some mystery. What do you know ? 

Gerald. Miss Shale, forgive my asking again. You 
did go with your sister to Brighton? 

Lucy. You've heard something. Tell me what. 

Gerald. I'd rather say no more. 

Lucy. No. You must tell me what you know. Yes, 
please. 

Gerald. Two years ago it became necessary for your 
sister to go to Brighton. It was so, wasn't it? [Lucy 
begins to perceive his mistake.] She told me so her- 
self. Forgive my asking. You did go with her? 

Lucy. Yes. 

Gerald. And you stayed with her while — till she 
could come away? 

Lucy. Yes; I had to see her through. It was only 
what any sister would have done, and naturally I did 
it for Elinor. 

Gerald. It was kind of you. 

Lucy. Now you see why I was so frightened when 
you began to question me. Who told you? 

Gerald. I mustn't say. 

Lucy. There's no chance of its getting known? 

Gerald. Not the least. I learned it quite by acci- 
dent. You may be sure I shall keep it quite secret. 

Lucy. You won't let Elinor suspect that you've 
heard. She'd be so terribly upset if she thought you 
knew! 

Gerald. Yes. Perhaps I'd better not see her. 



THE LIE 61 

Lucy. That would be kindest. 

Gerald. I'll write her that I have to go back to my 
work in Egypt. 

Lucy. Yes, that would be best. [He is standing 
overwhelmed. A pause. She lays her hand affec- 
tionately on his arm.] I'm so sorry for you — so sorry! 
Gerald. Thanks. Thank you for what you did for 
her. [Shaking her hand. 

Lucy. It was only my duty. I had to see her 
through. 

Gerald. But it was kind. I'll write her now — and 
get it over. [Goes to writing table. 

Lucy. Yes, that would be best. Here are pens and 
paper. 

[He sits down to tvrite. She affectionately lays 
her hand upon his shoulder. He presses 
it. She goes off R., watching him. Left 
alone, Gerald writes for a moment; then 
tears up the letter, sits with his face 
buried in his hands; begins writing again, 
stops, rises, comes away, stands over- 
whelmed; makes a gesture of resolution, 
goes to table; sits down, writes quickly 
and resolutely. Lucy appears outside 
window, watches Gerald writing, with- 
draws. Gerald finishes and seals his 
letter. Enter Noll B. 
Noll. Gerald, I oughtn't to have told you what I did 
just now. 
Gerald. Why not? 

Noll. Sir Robert has just been hinting very plainly 
that you are attached to this girl. 

Gerald. You were quite right to tell me. 



62 THE LIE 

Noll, It has hit you pretty hard. 

Gerald. I was going to propose to her this after- 
noon. 

Noll. Can't you forgive her? [Gerald shakes Ms 
head.] I'm sorry. From what Sir Robert says, you're 
losing a great treasure. And she's very much in love 
with you. Gerald 

Gerald. Don't say any more about this, will you? 
Don't please. There's a good fellow. It's all over. 
I shall get back to Egypt. 

[Elinor enters very gaily, downstairs L. 

Elinor. Now, Mr. Dibdin, I'm quite ready to show 
you over our old barn. Will you come, Mr. Forster? 

Gerald. I'm afraid I can't. I've just thought of an 
important telegram. I must hurry off to send it. 

[Sir Robert enters door E. 

Sir Robert. Now, Elinor — now, Mr. Dibdin, we'll 
show you round upstairs. 

Noll. Ready, Sir Robert. 

Sir Robert. Come along, Elinor. [To Noll.] We'll 
look over my room first. 

[Exit Sir Robert and Noll. 

Gerald. Miss Shale, you were right just now when 
you said it was my duty to go back to Egj^pt and 
finish my work there. 

Elinor. [Struck by the change in his tone.] Has 
anything happened? 

Gerald. Nothing, except that I've had a very severe 
struggle with myself since you left me. I see now 
that I mustn't follow my inclinations. I mustn't stay 
in England. 

Elinor. You're going away — soon? 

Gerald. As soon as I can arrange. I've scribbled 



THE LIE 63 

a line here to explain. I can tear it up now that I've 
seen you. 

Elinor. No; give it to me. 

Gerald. [Giving letter.] It only says what I've just 
told you. Forgive me. Good-bye. [Exit Gerald R. 
[Elinor opens letter, reads it, cannot under- 
stand; Tier Jiand drops with letter in it, 
she stands overwhelmed, reads it again. 
Lucy creeps on and watches her a mo- 
ment. 
Lucy. [Speaks very carelessly.'] Nell, what have 
you been doing to Mr. Forster? 
Elinor. What do you mean? 

Lucy. He has rushed off and scarcely said "Good- 
bye." I couldn't persuade him to stay to tea. 

Elinor. Did you say anything to him about me? 
Lucy. No. When? 

Elinor. Just now — when you were in here with 
him. 

Lucy. No. We never mentioned your name. We 
talked about the weather. I tried to get him on to 
Egypt, but I could scarcely get a word out of him. 
Why? 

Elinor. Nothing. 

Lucy. Aren't you coming to show Mr. Dibdin over 
the rooms? 

Elinor. Yes — I'll come in a minute. 

[Lucy goes off slowly L., watching Elinor. 
Elinor again turns to letter. 

CURTAIN 

[Three years and four months pass between Acts II 
and III.] 



ACT III 

Scene : The drawing-room of the Dower House, Shale 
Begis. A prettily furnished, modern room in the 
house which has been seen through the window of 
the preceding acts. At back is a large window 
opening onto a flower garden. This window is 
obviously a recent addition to the house. Be- 
yond the flower garden is the Abbey, which is sur- 
rounded by a park landscape in autumn foliage. 
Down stage B. is a fireplace. Down stage L. is a 
door. The room shows a marked contrast to the 
neglect and decay of the Abbey drawing-room. It 
is tastefully and sufficiently furnished with bright, 
pretty modern furniture. There are a good many 
knickknacks about it. It has an air of comfort 
and prosperity. 

Time: About twelve on a late October morning. The 
windows at back are wide open and a bright 
morning sun is shining on the garden and the 
Abbey and the landscape beyond. Discover Elinor 
in the garden outside the windows. She is in a 
pretty morning gown, with gardening hat and 
gloves. She has a large bouquet of autumn flow- 
ers in her apron, and is stooping to cut a large 
rose on a tree outside the window. Enter Gib- 
bard with a letter on tray. Gibbard is neatly 

64 



THE LIE 65 

dressed as a parlour maid. Elinor enters through 
window as Gibbard takes the letter to her. Elinor 
puts down her flowers and scissors. 

Gibbard. For you, miss. [Handing letter.] A foot- 
man has just bicycled over from the Hall with it. 

Elinor. [Shows a little surprise at the handwriting, 
opens letter, and glances through it.] Mr. and Mrs. 
Forster got down to the Hall last night. They're com- 
ing over to lunch. 

Gibbard. Yes, miss. 

Elinor. I'll come out to the cook and give her in- 
structions. 

[Sir Robert enters at door. He is now quite 
smartly dressed as a country gentleman, 
has the ''Times" in his hand, which he 
puts down. 

Gibbard. You said Mrs. Callard and her little boy 
would be here to lunch, miss. 

[Sir Robert shows a little vexation. 

Elinor. [After a pause of consideration.] I don't 
suppose Mrs. Callard will stay to lunch now. I'll tell 
you later. 

Gibbard. Yes, miss. [Exit. 

Elinor. Lucy and Mr. Forster are down at The 
Hall. [Giving Sir Robert the letter.] They're motor- 
ing over, and are staying to lunch. 

Sir Robert. Heigh! Heigh! Heigh! My little 
Lucy at last! Well, it was about time they came to 
see us. 

Elinor. Yes. 

Sir Robert. Why^, it's over three years now since 
she left us. 



66 THE LIE 

Elinor. Three yeai-s tliis month. 

Sir Robert. Clever stroke of hers going off to Egypt 
as she did and landing Forster. 

Elinor. Very clever. 

Sib Robert. But she ought to have run down to see 
her old Grandy before this. 

Elinor. They've had so much to do in Paris and 
London. And perhaps they didn't want very much to 
see us. 

Sir Robert. They must have wanted to see me. If 
Lucy hasn't been down, it must be on your account. 

Elinor. Perhaps. 

Sir Robert. [Turning to the letter.] She says here: 
"I hope, old girl, we shall meet as sisters, and love 
each other as we did in the old times." What does she 
mean by that? 

Elinor. What she says, I suppose. 

Sir Robert. You haven't shown a nice spirit to 
your sister since she married Forster. 

Elinor. Haven't I? 

Sir Robert. No; and she's always sending you pres- 
ents. That fur coat last winter, and the necklace, and 
the ring on your birthday, 

Elinor. I don't deserve it. 

Sir Robert. No, you don't — taking her gifts as you 
do. [Cunningly.} She wrote me last week she was 
sending you a cheque. 

Elinor. Yes. 

Sir Robert. A good-sized one — eh? 

Elinor. Fifty pounds. I sent it back. 

6m Robert. Sent it back? Good heavens! Sent it 
back! 

Elinor. It's all Mr. Forster's money. We oughtn't 



THE LIE 67 

to take it. He has done so much for us since he mar- 
ried Lucj^ 

Sir Egbert, He can afford it. 

Elinor. I can't afford to take it. 

Sir Robert. Well, I can. I have my proper pride — 
no man more so. And no man has more reason for a 
proper piide. But to send back cheques — and from 
your own familj'! That isn't pride. That's damned 
silly, cantankerous tomfoolery! It's ingratitude — ob- 
stinate, pigrheaded ingratitude! I shall tell Lucy my 
opinion of it. And I shall ask her to make her spare 
cheques payable to me in the future. They won't be 
■wasted on me. 

Elinor. No, they won't! 

Sir Robert. [Angrili/.] No, they won't. The truth 
is you're jealous of Lucy's marrying Forster. 

Elinor. No, not jealous. 

Sir Robert. Then what's the reason of your behav- 
ing as 3'ou are doing? 

Elinor. I've always written kindly to her. But I 
didn't like her going off to Egypt without letting us 
know. And then saying nothing about her engagement 
to Mr. Foi-ster — simply writing to tell us thej' were 
manied. 

Sir Robert. A veiy sensible thing to do. And very 
lucky for us. Here we are in clover — comparatively. 
We ought to be thankful to Lucy and to Providence. 

Elinor. I'm thankful to Mr. Forster — and to Mr. 
Dibdin for keej>ing us out of the workhouse. 

Sir Robert. And aren't you thankful to Lucy? 

Elinor. When she comes this moniing, I shall for- 
get there has been any coolness between us, and be 
quite friendly and sisterly to her. 



68 THE LIE 

Sir Robert. That's the right tone. We'll have a 
jolly little lunch. Gibbard said that Mrs. Callard and 
her child are coming. Why do you keep on inviting 
that woman here? 

Elinor. I don't keep on inviting her. 

Sir Robert. She's been hanging about the place for 
the last month. And the same last year. 

Elinor. Mrs. Callard was staying in the same house 
at Brighton when Lucy and I were there five years ago. 
Her baby was just born, and Lucy and I took a fancy 
to him. Last year she came to stay for a week in 
lodgings at Waventry. Naturally, I went to see her, 
and asked her here. The boy's a dear little fellow. 

Sir Robert. They won't be staying to-day, I hope? 

Elinor. Not unless Lucy wishes. She was fond of 
the boy when he was a baby, and she might like to 
see him again. 

Sir Robert. Lucy has got her own child, and she 
won't want to be bothered with Mrs. Callard's. I 
think I'll ask Dibdin to lunch. 

Elinor. It would please Mr. Forster. 

Sir Robert. In her letter to me last week, Lucy 
hinted something about a motor for us. I'm getting 
Dibdin to put up a new garage 



Elinor. [Firmly.] No, Grandy, no 

Sir Robert. Why not? 

Elinor. We've imposed too much upon Mr. Dibdin. 

Sir Robert. Imposed? He's my tenant, isn't he? 
We had to turn out of the Abbey to make way for 
him. A thirteen-penny-ha'penny-mixture man ! Comes 
and takes an historic old place like Shale Abbey, drops 
in for all its associations, takes his place in the county, 



THE LIE 69 

and he isn't to be allowed to put up a motor garage 
for the owner he has turned out ! 

Elinor. He's always doing things you ask him. See 
how beautifully he has done up this house for us. 

Sir Robert. Well, it was in the agreement. Still, I 
must say Dibdin has behaved very well. 

Elinor. He has, indeed. 

Sir Robert. And when I suggested to him last night 
about the motor house and said you'd like it 

Elinor. You said I would like it? 

Sir Robert. He jumped at the idea. He's only too 
pleased to do anything for you. 

Elinor. Grandy, please stop that. 

Sir Robert. Stop it? You're a fool, Elinor. You 
might be Mrs. Dibdin and mistress of Shale Abbey 
to-mon'ow — if you wished. 

Elinor. I don't wish. And I don't intend Mr. Dib- 
din shall spend any more of his money on us. 

Sir Robert. [Makes a gesture of irritation.] Well, 

thank God Lucy's coming back to put us all to rights ! 

[Noll appears in garden just outside window. 

Noll. Good morning. 

Sir Robert. Good morning, Dibdin. Come in. 

Noll. [Entering through window.] Good morning, 
Miss Shale. 

Elinor. [Shaking hands.]. Good morning. 

Noll. I've just had a note from Gerald. Mrs. 
Forster and he are down at The Hall. 

Sir Robert. Yes; they're coming to lunch. You'd 
better join us. 

Noll. Delighted! 

Sir Robert. This is my little fairy godmother's 
home-coming after all these years. And I must give 



70 THE LIE 

her a real royal Shale welcome. Elinor, tell cook to 
give us something decent for lunch for once. 

Elinor. I'll go and see about it. [To Noll, who 
sees her to door.] So glad you're staying! [Exit. 

Sir Robert. And I'll give you a bottle of port. Ah ! 
It was port that made the old true breed of English- 
men 

Noll. Gave them that rich, full-blooded mellowness 
of tone, eh? 

Snt Robert. And what are we to-day? 

Noll. A sorry race, I fear. Sir Robert! A sorry, 
scurvy lot! 

Sir Robert. We're a parcel of damned twopenny- 
ha'penny anemic clerks and typists and counterskip- 
pers! We can't drink. We can't swear! We can't 
wench like gentlemen ! 

Noll. That's democracy. Takes away all our pleas- 
ures and gives us the vote. 

Sir Robert. You've hit it. I'm glad to find, Dib- 
din, that as my tenant and neighbour you are adopting 
my views. It's a gi'eat responsibility to enter upon the 
traditions of Shale Abbey. 

Noll. I feel it! I feel it! What's the state of the 
country this morning? 

Sir Robert. [Indignant.] State of the country? 
[Taking up the ^'Times."] Have you seen the paper? 

Noll. No. Everybody striking, as usual, I suppose? 

Sir Robert. Yes. It's the confounded hair-dressers 
now. Nobody has been shaved in London for three 
days. 

Noll. That's another score for the lower classes. 
They've always sported a three days' growth. 



THE LIE 71 

Sir Egbert. But let them go on ! Let them go on — 
till the smash comes! 

Noll. That's what I'm waiting for — the smash ! 

Sir Robert. It's coming — it's coming. I shan't live 
to see it 

Noll. Don't say that, Sir Robert. We must hun-y 
things up. 

Sir Robert. No. I shan't live to see it. But you 
will. 

Noll. If there's going to be an infernal scrimmage, 
I want to be there. And at the nearest point of view 
that's free from danger. 

Sib Robert. Yes; it's coming! It's coming! Have 
you thought any more of the motor house you kindly 
promised to put up? 

Noll. Yes; we must get out the plans. 

Sir Robert. Thanks! Elinor is delighted at the 
idea. 

Noll. We must consult Miss Shale. 

Sir Robert. No. We'll get her away for a few 
weeks, and have it all done as a pleasant surprise for 
her when she comes back, eh? Eh? 

Noll. Yes; that's a good thought 

Sir Robert. Shush! [As Elinor enters.] Well, 
dear, what's cook going to give us? 

Elinor. Trout — shoulder of mutton 

Sir Robert. [Disgusted.] Shoulder of mutton. 

Elinor. Partridges — and an omelette! 

Sir Robert. Her omelettes are like paving stones. 

Elinor. Then be thankful you have a good diges- 
tion. Oh, Mr. Dibdin, Grandy tells me he has been 
speaking to you about a motor house. [Sib Robert 



72 THE LIE 

frowns and makes signs at her.] I hope you won't 
think of it 

Noll. I'm seeing about the plans. 

Elinor. Please not. I beg you won't waste any 
more money on us. 

Sir Robert. Waste! Waste! There's ingTatitude! 
Waste! 

Elinor. We haven't a motor. We can't afford one. 
It must be waste to put up a motor house. 

Noll. The motor will come by force of attraction. 
Meantime, you must allow me to put up the motor 
house; not in a spirit of waste, but as a monument of 
contrition. 

Elinor. Contrition for what? 

Noll. The misdeeds of my ancestor. [With a glance 
at Sir Eobert.] Sir Robert tells me that Dibdin's 
"Gift of Health" was extensively used in his nursery. 

Sir Robert. It was always knocking about the place. 
Done up in^ — a paper wrapping, with a thirteen-penny- 
ha'penny label. 

Noll. Two and nine. Sir Robert. Two and nine- 
pence was the lowest figure at which my old swindler 
of a grandfather would permit the British public to 
poison themselves. [Enter Gibbard L. 

GiBBARD. If you please, Sir Robert, what wine will 
you have for lunch? 

Sir Robert. We must have some champagne for my 
little fairy godmother. And a bottle of port for you 
and me, Dibdin. I'll come and get it out, Gibbard. 

[Exit Gibbard L. 

Sir Robert. Really, Elinor, now we've taken up our 
position again in the county, we must get a butler. 

[Exit Sib Robert L. 



THE LIE 73 

Elinor. [Sits.] Mr. Dibdin, we really can't impose 
upon you any more. 

Noll. What's the meaning of "impose"? 

Elinor. To take money and gifts as we are doing 
from you — without any right. 

Noll. What's the meaning of "right"? 

Elinor. You know very well what I mean. 

Noll. You mean you have no moral right to my 
money ? Neither have I. But I do take it all the same, 
because I can't find out whom it belongs to, and be- 
cause I'm the most deserving man I know. And I'm 
sure you're far more deserving than I am. 

Elinor. You never will talk plainly. 

Noll. You wish me? Very well. There's only one 
way in which you could have a legal right to share my 
ill-gotten gains. Won't you choose that way and — be 
my wife? 

Elinor. [Moving away from him.] I can't. 

Noll. You're sure? I'm talking quite sincerely 
now. 

Elinor. I can't. It's quite impossible. 

Noll. I guessed so. That's the reason I haven't 
asked you before. Forget it, and let us go on as we 
are. 

Elinor. But you must see it's very embarrassing for 
me to accept all this 

Noll. I'm sorry. But you can't expect me to have 
a heap of money I don't know what to do with and 
not try to make you happy. 

Elinor. You can't do that. 

Noll. Would you rather I left the Abbey? I'll do 
as you wish. 

Elinor. I wish you to do what is best for yourself. 



74. THE LIE 

You might be doing so much in the world, instead 
of 

Noll. Instead of skulking about down here? 

Elinor. Ah, no! I know you are doing a lot of 
good with your money. I hear of it in so many ways. 
But oughtn't you to be doing something great? 

Noll. It's only great men who do great things. Ex- 
cept in the newspapers. 

Elinor. But there are so many things a man can 
do 

Noll. Help me to do something. I fancy you could 
make a useful man of me. 

Elinor. Could I? 

Noll. I know you could make me do anything you 
wish. Won't you take me in hand? 

Elinor. I can't ! I wish I could ! 

Noll. Pardon me — there's someone else? 

Elinor. There was. And I can't forget — ^you've 
been so kind! 

Noll, Don't talk about kindness. 

Elinor. But I must! Why should you come down 
here and take the Abbey at an extravagant rent, and 
waste your money on Grandy 

Noll. If you wish to know why I took the Abbey — 
I'll tell you. You remember the day I first came over 
with Gerald 

Elinor. Yes — very well 

Noll. When you were showing me round the Abbey 
I noticed there were tears in your eyes. You made 
some excuse and ran away. When you came back you 
tried to look happy and cheerful. 

Elinor. I remember. 

Noll. I had a sudden impulse. I thought I'd take 



THE LIE 75 

the Abbey and make you happy. I'm like most men. 
A woman's tears double me up — and yours were very 
big ones. 

Elinor. I was very unhappy that day. 

Noll. So now you know why I took the Abbey. 

Elinor. My big tears. 

Noll. Yes; I saw you wei'e fretting about leaving 
the old place 

Elinor. Oh, no ! I wasn't thinking abovit the Abbey. 
I had a very gi-eat blow that day 

Noll. That day? [Shows surprise. 

Elinor. Don't let us speak of it, please. This won't 
prevent your staying to lunch? 

Noll. No. I want to see Gerald and congratulate 
him and your sister. I'm glad the match came off, 
after all. 

Elinor. After all? Why after all? 

Noll. I guessed from something Gerald said that 
day that he was attached to your sister. 

Elinor. Attached to Lucy? 

Noll. Yes. [Seeing Elinor's pained face.] I 
thought so. Perhaps I was mistaken. At any rate, 
your sister has mamed one of the best fellows in the 
world. 

Elinor. I never quite understood Mr. Forster. 

Noll. Forgive me — you had a great blow on that 
day? [Sir Robert looks in at the open window L. 

Sir Robert. Here they are! Just driving through 
the lodge gates! Elinor, come and welcome our little 
wanderer. Dibdin, come and help me give them a real 
Shale welcome. [Waves his hand and shouts.1 How 
are you? How are you? [Goes from window. 



76 THE LIE 

Noll. [Has gone up to window.] Yes, there they 
are! [Waving his hand.] Are you coming? 
EtiiNOR. I'll come directly. 

[Exit Noll at window and off L. 
[Elinor leaves the flowers, goes toward win- 
dow, looks off, comes hack, stands in the 
middle of the room, listens.] 
Gerald. [Voice heard off.] How d'ye do, Sir Rob- 
ert? Noll, old fellow, how are you? 

[Elinor hursts into tears, then resolutely 

checks herself, wipes her eyes. The 

greetings outside are meanwhile continued 

in very cheery tones. 

Sir Robert. Ah ! my little fairy godmother, how are 

you? 

Lucy. Ah, Grandy! 

Noll. My hearty congratulations, Mrs. Forster. 
Gerald, old man, delighted to see you. 
Gerald. Glad to see you! 

Sir Robert. I want to show you what Dibdin and I 
have done with the Abbey. 

Lucy. Where's Elinor? [Enters at window, well 
dressed in the latest fashion.] Nell, old girl! [Elinor 
stands silent. LuCY steals a look at her. Lucy's 
manner throughout conveys uneasiness and dread. She 
comes up to Elinor.] Aren't you pleased to see me? 
[Elinor draws Lucy to her and kisses her 
simply. 
Elinor. I hope you're very happy. 
Lucy. Of course I am. You've been crying. What's 
the matter? 

Elinor. Nothing. 



THE LIE 77 

Lucy. [Looking round.] You have done up the old 
place. What a change ! 

Elinor. Yes. We're very comfortable here, thanks 
to you and Mr. Forster and Mr. Dibdin. 

LuCT. [Watching her very keenly.'] Nell, I hope 
you aren't going to keep it up? 

Elinor. Keep what up? 

Lucy. You're angry with me because I married 
Gerald. 

Elinor. No, not angry. I didn't understand! 

Lucy. There's nothing to understand. I suppose you 
think I planned it all. You're quite mistaken. You 
know I'd arranged to go out to Egypt. He happened 
to be in Cairo, and of course I met him a great deal. 
But before I accepted him I said: "You're quite sure 
I'm not taking you from Elinor?" And he said: "In 
any case, I shall never marry your sister." I pressed 
him again and again. You don't believe me ! Is there 
anything you wish to ask? 

Elinor. On that day — the last afternoon he was 
here — when you were alone with him — you said nothing 
about me? 

Lucy. Not a word. You asked me that before I left. 
I give you my sacred word. Don't you believe me? 

Elinor. Yes, I believe you. [Kisses her cordially.] 
Forgive me. 

Lucy. Then it's quite made up, and we're friends 
and sisters as we used to be ? 

Elinor. Yes, it's past and forgotten. I'm so glad 
you're happy! 

Lucy. I've brought you a little present. [Bringing 
out a little leather jewel case, unpacking it.] A dia- 
mond brooch. 



78 THE LIE 

Elinor. Lucy, you shouldn't! 

Lucy. Oh, nonsense ! I told you at Brighton that if 
ever I did get a chance of repaying you, I should do it. 
Now, haven't I shown how gi-ateful I am? 

Ei/INOR. I don't want all these things 

Lucy. You've got to take this. [Pinning the brooch 
on Elinor's dress.] It looks gorgeous! And I'll try 
to manage the motor. 

Elinor. Motor? 

Lucy. Grandy has been bothering me for a motor 
for the last three months. I wrote him that Gerald 
had done so much that I couldn't ask him for more. 
But he said it would be such a comfort to you. 

Elinor. Please don't let him have it. 

Lucy. Oh, he shan't! I suppose he's as impossible 
as ever? 

Elinor. Just the same. 

Lucy. We shall keep him decently dressed, and that's 
all we shall do for him. Gerald has behaved most 
handsomely to him. 

Elinor. Yes. You are lucky. 

Lucy. I suppose I am, 

Elinor. You ought to be very happy. 

Lucy. I was the first few months. Then there was 
all that trouble at the dam, and Gerald had to go 
away 

Elinor. Naturally! 

Lucy. But he shouldn't neglect me. However, it has 
been all right since the baby came. Gerald adores her. 

Elinor. [Enviously.] Oh, you are lucky! Lucy, 
you've told Mr. Forster about Dick? 

Lucy. No, not yet. 

Elinor. Not yet? 



THE LIE 79 

LucT. I shall, when the right time comes. 

Elinor. "Wasn't the right time at first? 

Lucy. I couldn't tell him when we were going to 
have a child of our own. And since then it has been 
impossible. 

Elinor. Aren't you afraid? 

Lucy. Of what? 

Elinor. That he might find out 

Lucy. It isn't likely. Unless Nell, promise me 

you'll never breathe a word. 

Elinor. You know I never would. 

Lucy. But it might slip out — that's one reason I 
haven't come down 

Elinor. What? 

Lucy. I've been afraid that when you and Gerald 
got talking that — without thinking — you might say 
something. 

Elinor. How could I speak to Mr. Forster about 
that? 

Lucy. No. But — Nell, old girl — just to put you on 
your guard — promise me you won't mention it 

Elinor. I promise you. But you ought to tell Mr. 
Forster at once. [Suddenly.] Lucy, I'd quite forgot- 
ten — Mrs. Callard and Dick are coming over from 
Waventry. 

Lucy. [Alarmed.] Coming here? You wrote me 
they were going back to Brighton on Saturday. 

Elinor. I had arranged it. But I've been very 
lonely lately, so I let them stay another week. 

Lucy. You should have stopped them coming to-day. 

Elinor. It was too late when your note came. 
[Looking.] They ought to be here. 

Lucy. [Alarmed.] But Gerald 



80 THE LIE 

Elinor. I'll send them back before he sees them. 
Lucy. Yes. But I want to see Dick. I've only man- 
aged to run down to Brighton once since I've been 
home. How he has gi'own ! 

Elinor. Hasn't he? And he's the dearest little fel- 
low ! Now, haven't I been a mother to him while 

you've been away? 

Lucy. Yes, you have been a dear. But now I'm 
back there won't be any necessity for you to mother 
him any longer. I'll go to the station and meet them 

an^ stop them from coming up 

[Enter Gibbard, showing in Mrs. Callard 
and Dick. Exit Gibbard. Mrs. Cal- 
lard is a pale-faced woman with pre- 
maturely gray-white hair, neatly and 
quietly dressed in a middle-class fashion. 
Dick is a lively, handsome hoy of five, 
in a sailor suit. Dick enters first, runs 
to Elinor, springs -up to her waist, 
throws his arms round her neck, drags 
her down to Mm, hugs her, disarranges 
her hair. Lucy, having shaken hands 
with Mrs. Callard, is enviously watch- 
ing the embrace between Dick and 
Elinor. 
Dick. Miss Shale! Miss Shale! Miss Shale! 

[Hugging her. 
Elinor. Dick! Dick! What are you doing? 
Dick. I'm loving you. 

Elinor. Yes; but you mustn't love me like that. 
[Disengages herself, arranges her hair, looks at him.] 
Yes, you may! [Snatches him to her, hugging him — 



THE LIE 81 

he hugs her again.] Look, here's somebody else! Won't 
you speak to her? 

Dick. [Going to Lucy.] Oh, yes, I remember you. 
You came to see me at Brighton. 

Lucy. [Hugging him as Elinor has done. Dick 
doesn't respond, and escapes.] Won't you love me, too? 

Dick. No. You aren't my Miss Shale. You're only 
her sister. 

Elinor. Now, Dick, we have visitors to-day, so you 
and mummy must go back to Waventry by the next 
train. Come along. [Moving toward door. 

Dick. No ! No ! No ! No ! I'm going to stay with 
you! 

[Jumps on sofa and lies on it, refuses to 
hudge. 

Elinor. No, dear, you must go at once. 

Lucy, Mrs. Callard, please take him. Wait for me 
just beyond the lodge gates. I'll come to you there 
and walk to the station with you. 

Elinor. Now, Dick, dear — ^be a good boy and go 
with Mummy. 

[Sir Robert, Gerald, and Noll come up to 
window outside. 

Sir Robert. Gerald, I want to show you the im- 
provements I've made in the Dower House. I've 
thrown out this window 

Lucy. [In a hurried whisper to Mrs. Callabd.] 
Quick! Get him away! I'll come to you 

Mrs, Callard. Now, Dick, come along with Mum- 
my [Trying to get him toward door. 

[Gerald, Noll, and Sir Robert enter at 
window. 



82 THE LIE 

Dick. [Lying on sofa.] No; I want my Miss Shale 
to come 

Elinor. [Goes to Gerald.] How d'ye do? 

Gerald. [Shaking hands.] How d'ye do? 

Noll. [To Dick.] Hullo, little Nipper! 

[Pulling Dick's ear. 

Elinor. We're glad you and Lucy have got back 
from Egypt at last. [Introducing.] This is Mrs. Cal- 
lard and her little boy. Mrs. Callard is an old friend 
of mine. 

Mrs. Callard. How d'ye do, sir? 

[Gerald bows slightly. He watches Elinor 
and Dick keenly. 

Elinor. Mrs. Callard is staying at "Waventry. 
You'll just have time to catch your train, Mrs. Cal- 
lard. Now, Dick! 

Dick. No. You told me to come and have lunch 
with you 

Mrs. Callard. Now, Dick, you're very naughty! 

Elinor. If you're good and go now, I'll come over 
to-morrow and buy you — oh, such lots of things ! Come 
along now! 

Dick. [Getting up from sofa.] Very well. You 
will come and see me to-morrow? 

Elinor. Yes; I promise you. 

Mrs. Callard. Make a nice bow, Dick, and say 
"Good morning" to the ladies and gentlemen. 

Dick. [To Noll.] Good morning, sir. 

[Shaking hands. 

Noll. Good morning, little Nipper! 

Dick. [To Gerald.] Good morning, sir. 

Gerald. Good morning Dick. 

[Strokes his head, looks at Elinor. 



THE LIE 83 

Dick. Good morning, Miss Shale. 
Lucy. Good morning, dear. 
Dick. You will come? 

[Coming to Elinor, again springs up to her 
and hugs her. She kisses him and gently 
puts him away. 
Dick. [To Sir Robert.] I shan't say "Good morn- 
ing" to you. You're a nasty, cross old man. When I 

come to lunch, you tell me to behave myself 

Mrs. Callard. Dick! Dick! You naughty boy! 

[Snatches his hand and takes him off at win- 
dow. 
Sir Robert. [Stands speechless.] The young scoun- 
drel! Now that shows how children are brought up 
nowadays. That's young England! 

[Lucy has watched Mrs. Callard and Dick 
off and has gone up to window, looking 
after Mrs. Callard and Dick. 
Lucy. I'm going to have a look round the Abbey 
and see what you've done to it, Mr. Dihdin. 

[Exit after Mrs. Callard and Dick. 
Sir Robert. [Pursuing his theme.] That's the rising 
generation — no reverence, no respect for age, no mod- 
esty, no chivalry. Well, Gerald, what do you tliink of 
the improvements I've made here? 

Gerald. Excellent! I shouldn't have known the old 
place. 

Sir Robert. I wish we'd got a decent lunch to offer 
you. But Elinor will have a cheap cook. Now, to-day 

— shoulder of mutton, and no entree Dibdin, that's 

a remarkably good pate-de-foie-gras you always give us 
when we dine with you. 



84 THE LIE 

Noll. I get that from town especially for you, Sir 
Robert. I've just had in a fresh supply. 

Sir Robert. I wonder if you'd do me a neighbourly 
turn, and lend me a pot for to-day's lunch? 

Noll. Certainly. 

Sir Robert. Lucy has gone over to the Abbey. We 
might run across and bring her back with the pdte-de- 
foie-gras. 

Noll. Come along! Come along! I've just got 

down a supply of very fine smoked salmon 

{Going off. 

Sir Robert. Have you? There's no better relish 
than smoked salmon. And if you had a stray anchovy 

or olive, I should be everlastingly obliged 

[^Exit Sir Robert and Noll at window. 
[Elinor and Gerald, left alone, stand silent 
and a little embarrassed. 

Gerald, I hope you're thoroughly happy and com- 
fortable here. 

Elinor. Yes. I've written to thank Lucy. Now you 
must let me thank you. 

Gerald. There's no need for that. It was a great 
pleasure to me. 

Elinor. You've finished your work in Egypt at last ? 

Gerald. Yes. I'm not quite satisfied. 

Elinor. Why not? 

Gerald. The last dam was rather a thankless task. 
There was a good deal of bad feeling among the 
men. However, I've done it as well as it* could be 
done. 

Elinor. I'm sure of that. And you'll live in Eng- 
land now? 

Gerald. No. I think not. Lucy wants to settle 



THE LIE 85 

down in Paris, and she generally gets her own way, I 
find. 

Elinor. She tells me she's very happy. 

Gerald. I hope so. I've tried to make her very 
happy, because 

Elinor. Because ? 



Gerald. [Coming to her.] "Well, naturally, I — a 

[A little pause. 

Elinor. [Moves away from him.] You were a long 
time getting to The Hall. We expected you down here 
as soon as you got away from Egypt. 

Gerald. Lucy would stay in Paris. And when we 
got to London, she kept on putting it off. And per- 
haps I wasn't very keen to come myself, 

Elinor. Why not? I oughtn't to have asked you 
that. 

Gerald. You must have thought our marriage rather 
sudden. 

Elinor. I was a little surprised. But now it has 
turned out so well — I do congratulate you — with all my 
heart. [Offering her hand. 

Gerald. Thanks! [Taking her hand. 

Elinor. [Withdrawing it — after a pause.] And you 
have your little Lucy. That must be a great happi- 
ness. 

Gerald. Yes — a child is a great treasure 

[Looks at her. A long pause. 

Gerald. Is there anything more I can do for you 
here? 

Elinor. No. You've already done too much. 

Gerald. You mustn't say that. You know I wish to 
do everything I possibly can for you. 

Elinor. [Looks at him very reproachfully.] Isn't 



86 THE LIE 

it rather cniel of you to say that — now? [Quickly.] 

We mustn't speak like this 

[Turning away from him. 

Gerald. No. But let me tell you now once for all 
that if there is anything in the world I can do for you 
— or for anyone who is dear to you — [She looks at 
him inquiringly] — any friend or relation 

Elinor. I've very few friends. Now Lucy has gone, 
there's only Grandy. I've been very lonely. 

Gerald. Well, think of what I've said — if there is 
anything I can do to make you happy 

Elinor. Oh, please say no more! Please! 

Gerald. No. But you didn't think me really cruel? 

Elinor. I thought you could soon change and for- 
get. 

Gerald. Forget? I've often wished I could. 

Elinor. [Looks at him and speaks reproachfully.] 
Surely you did as you wished? 

Gerald. No. If I'd done as I wished 

Elinor. But in the letter you wrote me when you 
left the Abbey that day — you remember? 

Gerald. Yes. 

Elinor. You said your whole life must be given to 
your work and that you had no right to think of any- 
thing or anybody else. [Very bitterly.] It wasn't 
very long before you did think of somebody else. 

Gerald. I did try to put my whole heart and soul 
into my work. But it had lost its hold on me. I came 
up to Cairo — your sister was there — she was your sis- 
ter — wasn't it natural, under the circumstances? 

Elinor. It must have been very natural to you — 
since you did it. She was my sister! Was that your 



THE LIE 87 

reason? Haven't we just said we wouldn't speak of 
the past? It's treacherous to Lucy. 

Gerald. You're right to remind me. But surely — 
you can guess the reason of my acting as I did? 
Elinor. Reason? What reason? 

[Lucy appears at window, sJiows great fright 

at seeing them together, comes down to 

them quickly. 

LucT. Gerald, hasn't Mr. Dibdin made the Abbey 

perfectly lovely ? "What are you two chattering about ? 

Gerald. I've been telling your sister that you've 

made up your mind we shall live in Paris. 

Lucy. Of course we shall! There's no other place. 
I suppose this dear old thing — [Fondling Elinor] — 
wants us to coop ourselves up down here. Is that 
what you've been advising him, Nell? 

Elinor. I've not been advising Mr. Forster. 
Lucy. She is such a dear old-fashioned thing ! [Fon- 
dling Elinor.] We must have her up in London 
sometimes and give her a good time. 

[Sir Robert and Noll enter at window. Sir 

Robert carrying tins of smoked salmon, 

anchovies, and olives, and Noll carrying 

three terrines of pdte-de-foie-gras. 

Sir Robert. Give me your lot, Dibdin. I'll take them 

in to cook. [Taking Noll's terrines.] And I'll show 

her the right way to make an omelette. [Exit. 

Noll. We expected to find you at the Abbey 

Lucy. I strolled round the grounds. [Looking at 
her watch.] Nell, I want to see all the other rooms 
before lunch. Come and show me. [Seeing that Eli- 
nor is hesitating.] Come along. I want to have a 



88 THE LIE 

long talk with you. [Taking Elinor's arm.] Gerald, 
I shall keep her all to myself till lunch. 

[Elinor goes off with her reluctantly. 

Noll, Well, what do you think of the old place, 
Gerald? The old boy's been doing me pretty thor- 
oughly, hasn't he? 

Gerald. Noll — that woman and child who were here 
this morning? 

Noll. They're old friends of Miss Shale. They're 
staying at Waventry, and she has them over some- 
times. Nice little kid, isn't he? I say, what's old 
Shale going to touch you for next? He's getting a 
motor garage out of me! 

Gerald. That boy is Elinor's child! 

Noll. [Startled.] Elinor's child! What are you 
talking about? 

Gerald. You remember what you told me — that you 
saw Elinor with her child at Brighton 

Noll. I told you ? 

[Has a shock which he instantly conceals from 
Gerald. 

Gerald. You know you did. You said your doctor 
friend told you her history, how she had come to 
Brighton and passed herself off as a married woman, 
whose husband was in India. [Noll shows great con- 
cern and some confusion.] You surely remember? 
You aren't going to deny it ? 

Noll. [Feeling his way.] No. But if you remember, 
old man, when I came back that afternoon, I was 
going to give you all the particulars, but you stopped 
me, and told me never to mention the matter again. 

Gerald. I know I did. 



THE LIE 89 

Noll. Well, there's no occasion to mention it now, is 
there? 

Gerald. Yes. You're quite sure it was Miss Shale 
whom you saw at Brighton station with the child? 

Noll. [After a pause.] Yes, I saw her there. 

Gerald. Is there any possibility that your doctor 
friend made a mistake? 

Noll. [Hard pressed.] He may have done so, I 
didn't pay very much attention to what he was say- 



Gerald. [Very angrily.] You didn't pay much at- 
tention? And on the strength of his gossiping story 
you come to me and take away the reputation of the 
woman I loved ! 

Noll. Woman you [Recovers himself.] It was 

a stupid, clumsy thing to do. I'd no right to mention 
it. Only, if you recollect, you dragged it out of me 

Gerald. I had very strong reasons 

Noll. I couldn't guess that. I'm terribly sorry. 

Gerald. Tell me exactly what this doctor told you 
about Elinor. [Noll hesitates.] You don't wish to — 
as she's my wife's sister? You needn't. Lucy told me 
everything herself. 

Noll. [Again is surprised.] Mrs. Forster told you? 

Gerald. Yes, that same afternoon, after you had 
gone out of the room. 

Noll. Mrs. Forster spoke of it? 

Gerald. Yes. I was fearfully upset by what you 
had told me. When Lucy came in, I purposely dragged 
in Brighton, to watch the effect on her. She saw that 
I knew something. Of course she was very much con- 
cerned for her sister. I couldn't rest till I'd got the 
whole truth from her. 



90 THE LIE 

Noll. She told you the truth? 

Gerald. Yesj she confirmed your story. She owned 
she had gone down to Brighton with Elinor, and had 
taken care of her through her trouble. Isn't that what 
your doctor friend told you? 

Noll. Yes, something like that 

[Lucy enters quickly with a telegram in her 
hand. 

Lucy. [Apprehensively — looks from one to the 
other.] Gerald, this came just after we left. [Giving 
him telegram.] They've sent it over from The Hall, 

Gerald. Allow me? [Opens telegram, reads it.} 
Good heavens! 

Lucy. What is it? 

Gerald. The natives have mutinied and broken down 
the dam. They've had to send soldiers. They want 
me to come up to town and consult. 

Lucy. Of course you'll go. 

Gerald. Yes; I must go up this evening. 

Lucy. No, we'd better go at once. I've been so 
uneasy about baby all the morning. [To Noll.] I 
left her in London with a bad cold. Gerald, I feel 
sure she's worse. 

Gerald. Oh, nurse would have telegraphed. 

Lucy. No; she's so careless. I'm positive she's 
worse. Let me see your telegram. 

[He gives her telegram. 

Noll. Pretty bad news, eh, old man? Does it mean 
your going out again ? 

Gerald. I'm afraid it may. 

Lucy. [Having read telegram.] You see, they say: 
"Come up as soon as possible." [Giving him telegram. 

Gerald. We can't get up till after ofl&ce hours. 



THE LIE 91 

Lucy. [Glancing at watch on her wrist.] Yes, if we 
go at once, we can just catch the one-twenty at the 
junction. 

Gerald. We must stay to lunch now. 

Lucy. No — I'm frightfully anxious about Lucy. If 
anything happened to her, you'd never forgive your- 
self. We- must go! Tell them to have the motor 
ready. [Trying to get him off. 

Gerald. [Looking at telegram.'] It looks pretty bad. 
Perhaps I'd better get up at once. 

Lucy. Make haste ! There isn't a moment [Exit 

Gerald at window. To Noll.] I'm sure my baby is 

worse — I've had a presentiment all the morning 

[Elinor enters. 

Elinor. I'm afraid lunch will be late. I wish 
Grandy wouldn't interfere in the kitchen 

Lucy. Nell, Gerald has had a telegram from the 
oflSee. There has been a mutiny — they've broken down 
the dam — Gerald has to go to town at once. 

Elinor. But you'll stay to lunch? 

Lucy. We can't. And I'm sure Lucy is worse — ^I'll 

go and hurry Gerald with the motor 

[Exit at window. 

Elinor. Lucy seems very anxious to get away from 
us. 

Noll. Yes. I don't wonder! [Elinor looks sur- 
prised. He comes to her.] Miss Shale, I don't know 
how to tell you, but I've got to ! 

Elinor. What? 

Noll. I've been the means of doing you the greatest 
wrong — [She looks at him] — the greatest wrong in this 
world. I didn't know it — you may be sure of that. I 
must have been a clumsy fool. 



92 THE LIE 

Elinor. Tell me. 

Noll. You don't remember meeting me at Brighton 
Station j&ve years ago? 

Elinor. I never met you at Brighton. 

Noll. I was with Doctor Denby Rodd. You didn't 
notice me. He saw you into your train 

Elinor. Yes, I remember. 

Noll. After you'd gone, he told me your sister's 
story. 

Elinor. He told you? 

Noll. Yes. He did it quite carelessly — without 
thinking. He couldn't have supposed we should ever 
meet. But he told me. 

Elinor. Then you've known all along? 

Noll, Yes. I recognized you that first day we met 
at the Abbey. Gerald saw that I did — he questioned 
me and got out of me what Rodd had told me. 

Elinor. Then Gerald has known all along about 
Lucy? 

Noll. No. There's the horrible, horrible mistake. 

Elinor. Mistake? 

Noll. Gerald got the impression it was you. 

Elinor. That it was I? You allowed him to think 
that? 

Noll. No, no! How can you think that? I spoke 
vaguely — I didn't mention which sister. I've only just 
found out that he thinks it was you. 

Elinor. Then that's why he went away. Now I 
understand. But why didn't you put him right? 

Noll. I didn't know he thought it was you. I saw 
he took it very much to heart; but I thought it was 
because of his attachment for your sister. When he 
married her, I thought he had forgiven her. 



THE LIE 93 

Elinor. [Has been crushed by the revelation.] 
I see. [Suddenly.] But why didn't Lucy put him 
right? He must have spoken to her about it. 

Noll. Oh, yes! He spoke to her that same after- 
noon, and she told him it was your child. 

Elinor. She told him ? Say that again! 

Noll. She told him it was your child. 

Elinor. She didn't! She couldn't! 

Noll. And that she had gone down to Brighton 

Elinor. No 

Noll. To see you through your trouble. 

Elinor. She didn't! She couldn't! She didn't! 
She couldn't ! 

Noll. She could — and she did! 

Elinor. No ! No ! Lucy ! She No, no, no, no ! 

It isn't possible! It isn't true! 

Noll. Gerald told me so just now. Ask her your- 
self. 

Elinor. [Very quiet.] Of course! Of course! It's 
all plain. Her getting to Egypt, her staying away 

from me, her presents [With a sudden frantic 

rage.] Where is she? [Bushing toward window.] 
Where is she? 

Noll. [Stopping her.] Stay! Think a moment. 

Elinor. [Struggling to get past him.] Where is she? 
Where is she? Where is she? 

Noll. Stay! Think! Just for a moment. There's 
another side. Gerald 

Elinor. She shall tell him the truth before me. I'll 
make her! 

Noll. Think what that will mean to him^ just now. 
I could hardly keep from telling him myself. I will 
tell him if you wish. 



94 THE LIE 

Elinor. No ! She shall tell him ! 

Noll. But not now. For Heaven's sake Think ! 

Gerald! 

Elinor. But she shan't escape! 

Noll. She shan't escape. I'll take care of that. 

Elinor. No, I'll take care of that! Where is she? 
Where is she ? 

Noll. Control yourself. 

Elinor. I have controlled myself 

Noll. Bear it a little longer 

Elinor. I can't — I can't 

Noll. Yes; think! The moment Gerald knows, it 
win break him up. There'll be a scandal — perhaps a 
separation. Is that what you want? Can't we spare 
him? 

Elinor. But she shan't escape. 

Noll. She won't — she isn't. By God, she shall pay 
for it! But let her get away now — say Good-bye to 
her quite calmly. 

Elinor. I can't do that 

[Gerald's voice heard off stage: All right — 
I'll say Good-bye for you. 

Noll. Hush! Gerald! Sit down! Keep quiet! 
Let them get away now! 

Gerald. [Comes hurriedly up to windoio.] We 
haven't a moment. Lucy says if the child is all right 
she'll come again soon. 

Elinor. Yes, tell her to come soon. 

[Noll warns her with a look. 

Gerald. If all's well, I'll send her to-morrow. Good- 
bye. Excuse our running away. Good-bye Noll. 

[Exit from window L. 

Noll. Good-bye. 



THE LIE 95 

Elinor. [Calling after him.] Tell her to come to- 
morrow. 

Gerald. [Off stage.] Good-bye. 

Elinor. [At window. Calls.] To-morrow! Look! 

She's blowing me a kiss ! She shan't go 

[Starting off. 
[Noll snatches her hand and draws her into 
the room. 
Noll. Control yourself! 

Elinor. She blew me a kiss! She blew me a kiss! 
Judas sister! Judas sister! Judas sister! 

CURTAIN 

[Ten days pass between Acts III and IV.] 



ACT IV 

Scene: The same. About four on an afternoon in 
November. Outside the windows twilight darken- 
ing on the wintry landscape and on the Abbey. 
Inside, a bright fire. Discover Elinor seated over 
fire. GiBBARD draws curtains and lights lamps. 

Elinor. Haven't Mrs. Callard and Master Callard 
come in yet? 

GiBBARD. No, miss. Will Mrs. Callard and the young 
gentleman be staying on? 

Elinor. Yes. Why do you ask? 

GiBBARD. Before Sir Robert went up to London he 
said they'd have to pack up and go. 

Elinor. They will be staying for some time — per- 
haps altogether. Cook knows Sir Robert will be back 
for dinner? 

GiBBARD. Yes, miss. 

(Sir Robert enters in outdoor winter clothes, 
with a handsome fur coat. 

Sir Robert. Well, here I am — ^back again. Gibbard, 
just see there's a good fire in my room. And take up 
a whiskey-and-soda, will you? 

Gibbard. Yes, Sir Robert. [Exit. 

Sir Robert. [Has taken off hat and coat and put 
them on chair.] You got my telegram? 

96 



THE LIE 97 

Elinor. Yes. I thought you were staying on with 
Mr. Forster and Lucy? 

Sir Robert. No. They've come down to the Hall 
with me this morning. The Government have given 
Gerald the entire control of the irrigation works. He 
accepted it last night, and he has to hurry out there 
as soon as possible. 

Elinor. Is Lucy going with him? 

Sir Robert. Yes; of course. So we shall lose her 
again. And just as I thought she was going to settle 
down with us, and be a comfort to my few remaining 
years. They're leaving the old limousine motor, and I 
believe Lucy means to have it thoroughly done up 
for us. 

Elinor. They came down to the Hall with you? 

Sm Robert. Yes; we got down to lunch. Lucy mo- 
tored me to the level crossing, and I walked up. 

Elinor. Lucy came with you to the level crossing, 
and she didn't come on here? 

Sir Robert. We happened to meet Mrs. Callard 
and her brat, so Lucy put me down and took them 
into Waventiy. 

Elinor. Lucy took Mrs. Callard and Dick to Wa- 
ventry — what for? 

Sir Robert. I'd been telling her that you'd had them 
staying here for the last fortnight, turning the whole 
house upside down. Lucy thinks about it as I do. 

Elinor. What does she think? 

Sir Robert. She can't think why on earth you should 
have a parcel of Brighton lodging-house people hang- 
ing about the place — she's going to talk to you 
about it. 

Elinor. Then she's coming back here? 



98 THE LIE 

Sir Robert. Yes. She says Gerald may not have 
time to come over to say Good-bye so she wants to take 
us and Dibdin over to dinner to-night at the Hall. I 
suppose you'll go? 

Elinor. I'll tell her when she comes. 

Sir Robert. What's the reason you're treating her 
so badly? 

Elinor. Am I treating her badly? 

Sir Robert. She says she has written you three 
nice sisterly letters, and you haven't sent her a word 
in reply. 

Elinor. Yes, that is so. 

Sir Robert. Then I don't wonder she doesn't seem 
veiy anxious to meet you. 

Elinor. No, I don't wonder. 

Sir Robert. When she does come, I hope you'll re- 
ceive her as a sister and remember all she has done for 

us, and show your gTatitude as I do Damn it ! I 

forgot the champagne. Gerald has just got in twenty 
dozen of Pommery for Egypt. I believe he meant to 
give me a couple of cases. And I forgot to remind 
him. 

Elinor. Then he's not coming over here? 

Sir Robert. He said he'd try to run over for a few 
minutes; but he wasn't sure. 

Elinor. But Lucy is coming? ^ 

Sir Robert. Yes; and I hope you'll follow her ad- 
vice about Mrs. Callard and the brat. Because I've 
made up my mind they don't stay in my house any 
longer. 

Elinor. This isn't your house, Mr. Dibdin has a 
lease of it from you with the Abbey. And you know 
if I ask him he'll let Mrs. Callard and Dick stay here 



THE LIE 99 

as long as I please. And I shall ask him — the first 
time I see him. 

Sir Robert. [Nonplussed.] Oh! [Takes up Ms hat.] 
Oh! [Takes up Ms coat.] Oh, very well! 

[GiBBARD shows in Noll. Enter Noll. Exit 

GiBBARD. 

Noll. Well, Sir Robert, back from London? [To 
Elinor.] How d'ye do? [Shaking hands. 

Elinor. How d'ye do? 

Sir Robert. Yes; Gerald and Lney came down with 
me to the Hall. 

Noll. I had a letter from Gerald this morning. He 
tells me the Government are going to do jnst what he 
wants. 

Sir Robert. Yes. I advised him to stand up to 
them. "Don't stand any nonsense," I said. "Stand up 
to them." And he did — he may be thankful I was 
with him at the critical moment. [Exit. 

Noll. So our little lady sister has come to see us? 
Does she know you've found her out? 

Elinor. No. [Taking letter out of pocket.] Here's 
her last letter to me. [Giving it to Mm.] She couldn't 
have written that if she thought I knew. 

Noll. You haven't written to her? 

Elinor. No. I can't do it in a letter. I must have 
her face to face. I would have gone up, but I thought 
of Gerald. I want to spare him as long as I can. 

Noll. You'll have to tell Gerald, I suppose? 

Elinor. No. She'll have to tell him — in my pres- 
ence. How can I let him think that I Read what 

she says there. 

Noll. [Beading from letter.] "I cannot imagine 
why you haven't answered my letters. I suppose you 



100 THE LIE 

are still jealous. I can only tell you onee more that 
before I man-ied Gerald, I asked him again and again : 
'You are sure I am not taking you from Elinor?' You 
can believe me or not, as you please. But however 
unkind and ungrateful you are to me, I shall still re- 
member my duty to you as a sister, and do all I can to 
make you happy." Very, very pretty! Quite charm- 
ing! [Giving letter back to Elinor.] Where is she 
now? 

Elinor. She has taken Dick and Callard to Wa- 
ventry. Grandy says she is going to ask me to send 
Dick away; but I won't! Grandy is always threaten- 
ing to turn him and Mrs. Callard out. This is your 
house. You won't ask me to send Dick away? 

Noll. Certainly not — if you wish to keep him. But 
— mightn't it be better? 

Elinor. Better to send him away? 

Noll. You're very fond of the little Nipper? 

Elinor. I can't tell you. I've never had anything 
all my own to love. Lucy took Gerald away from me, 
just as I had won him. Then Dick came. He was the 
only thing near to me. He filled up the great hole 
there was in my heart. I could almost forgive Lucy, 
because when she took Gerald from me she gave me 
Dick. 

Noll. Not much credit to her for that! She can't 
claim the boy herself. 

Elinor. [Triumphantly.] No; that's it! She's going 
away from England. She can't take him. She'll be 
obliged to leave him with me. I shall bring him up, 
and have him all to myself. That's all I've got to live 
for now. 

Noll. You've thought it all over, I suppose? 



THE LIE 101 

Elinor. Thought what over? You don't wish me to 
send him away? 

Noll. No. But I ought to tell you 

Elinor. What? 

Noll. I'm sure Mrs. Callard is discretion itself. But 
a mother's is a very difficult role to play. Mrs. Cal- 
lard doesn't look like the Nipper's mother. She doesn't 
talk and act like the Nipper's mother. The woman she 
lodged with at Waventry has scented it out, and started 
a good deal of gossip. 

Elinor. Gossip? What gossip? 

Noll. That the Nipper isn't Mrs. Callard's child. 
And people are saying 

Elinor. People are saying What are people 

sajdng? Tell me. 

Noll. You've had the boy here constantly. You've 
shown that you're passionately attached to him. And 
now you've brought him to live with you. 

Elinor. They're not saying that I ? 

Noll. It's best you should know 

Elinor. [After a long pause.] Thank you. Is it 
much talked of? 

Noll. You know what a hotbed of gossip this little 
place is. Wouldn't it be better to send them away? 

Elinor. No. I've nobody but Dick. I won't give 
him up. I've got him now — tight — he loves me. He's 
all I have. I'll keep him. Let them say what they 
choose. 

Noll. If you feel like that, you're right to keep him. 
But have you counted the cost? You know what it 
will mean in a small place like this. 

Elinor. I don't care. I won't give him up. No! 
No! No! Whatever they say [Suddenly.] 



102 THE LIE 

That's why Mrs. Farebrother cut me yesterday. I sup- 
pose eveiybody will cut me. 

Noll. It will be terribly difficult for you. Won't 
you let me make it easy? 

Elinor. What can you do? 

Noll. I have the toughest skin. I don't care a snap 
of the finger for public opinion. Let me give you my 
name. It need go no further than that — unless you 
wish. Let me try to make up for having brought this 
on you. [She makes a gesture of protest.] Yes, it 
was my silly, clumsy tongue that put Gerald on the 
wrong track. Let me get it off my conscience. Come 
to me. My name would shelter you and the boy. I'm 
fond of the little Nipper, too. Nobody dared say a 
word then; or, if they did, it wouldn't matter. Never 
mind if you haven't any love to give to me now. 
You'll come to me at last — I think you will — I know 
you will. But if you can't — I'll wait till you do. And 
I can make it all so easy for you. Come to me! Be 
my wife! 

Elinor. Oh, you are kind — but I feel it would be a 
false position for me. And it would be like cheating 
you. 

Noll. I love being cheated. Everybody cheats me. 
It's the only fun I get out of life. And you won't 
cheat me very long. I'll risk it. Just try it. 

Elinor. Oh! I wish I could! 

[Lucy stands at the door in outdoor clothes. 
Noll glances from one to the other. 
Elinor's face hardens. 

Noll. How d'ye do? [Shaking hands. 

Lucy. How d'ye do? [Moving toward Elinor, 
showing a furtive fright which she tries to hide under 



THE LIE 103 

a careless manner.] You don't seem very pleased to 
see me, Nell. [Blaking as if to embrace her. Elinor 
flashes with anger, and moves away.] Aren't you go- 
ing to speak to me"? 

Elinor. Yes, by and by. 

[Lucy turns to Noll, shrugs her shoulders 
with an aggrieved air. 

Noll. Gerald hasn't come over with you? 

Lucy. No; he's terribly rushed to get away. He 
may not have time to come over. So I told him I 
should bring you and Grandy and Nell back with me to 
dinner at the Hall. You'll come? 

Noll. I'll be ready whenever you are. [Exit. 

[Lucy steals a glance at Elinor. Elinor 
stands speechless, in a white rage. 

Lucy. What's the matter? What have I done now? 
[A little jeering laugh from Elinor.] Keally, Nell, 
you are impossible! I've done everything in the world 
to make you happy. On my way here I made Gerald 
promise to have the limousine done up as a present 

for you [Another jeering laugh from Elinor.] 

Oh, well, if you choose to fling all my kindness back 
in my face, you must do so. [Changes her tone.] 
There's another thing perhaps you won't like. My 
maid is leaving me, so I'm going to take Mrs. Callard 
out with me to Egypt. I met her and Dick this after- 
noon at the level crossing and took them to Waventry 
with me. I've arranged ever3i;hing with her. 

Elinor. What have you arranged? 

Lucy. I'm sending over for Dick and her in the 
morning to take them up to London with us. I told 
her to go and get everything packed at once. 

Elinor. [Hard, white, hitter, suppressing herself 



104 THE LIE 

with great effort.] You're going to take Dick to 
Egypt? 

Lucy. Yes. I've wanted to have him vsdth me for a 
long time, only I didn't know how to manage it with- 
out rousing Gerald's suspicions. I told him we knew 
the woman at Brighton. [Elinor laughs.] What's 
the matter? 

Elinor. Nothing. You told him we knew the woman 
at Brighton Go on, 

Lucy. And that she'd make a good maid for me, and 
be just the sort of useful person we want over there. 

Elinor. Yes, yes — and that Dick would come with 
her? 

Lucy. I said of course she'd bring her boy. 

Elinor. Of course! Of course! And what did he 
say? 

Lucy, He made no objection. In fact, he seemed 
to be pleased. 

Elinor. Pleased? Why should he be pleased? 

Lucy. He thought it would settle her and make her 
comfortable. So it has all turned out quite fortu- 
nately. 

Elinor. So it's all settled? 

Lucy. Quite! I'm sorry if you don't like it; but 
really I've done enough to please you, so this time I 
shall please myself. 

Elinor. You've quite made up your mind to take 
Dick to Egypt? 

Lucy. Yes. Baby isn't very strong, and I may have 
to send her back to England. And I really want to 
have Dick with me. He's just the age to make a nice 
companion. 



THE LIE 105 

Elinor. Yes You've quite made up your mind 

to take him from me? 

Lucy. You mustn't look at it in that light. You've 
been very kind to him; but I want him to be fondest 
of me. And you have a little stolen him from me. 

Elinor. Stolen! Ha! Stolen! 

Lucy, "Well, haven't you? He cares more for you 
than he does for me. And, after all, I am bis mothej*. 

Elinor. You've quite made up your mind to take 
him? 

Lucy. Yes; quite! [Elinor laughs a terrible jeer- 
ing laugh.] What is the matter with you, Nell? Really 
I don't understand you. I give you up. 

Elinor. Ah! You give me up, do you? You give 
me up! And you take Dick? 

Lucy. [Impatiently.] Yes! Yes! Yes! Don't I 
tell you — yes! And that settles the matter. [With a 
sudden fright and a changed tone.] Of course, I trust 
you to say nothing to Gerald. 

Elinor. Ah ! You trust to me ! You trust to me ! 

Lucy. [Terribly frightened.] You gave me your 
sacred promise. You won't dare to break it. 

Elinor. Won't I? Won't I? 

Lucy. Nell, you won't play me such a dirty trick? 

Elinor. Dirty trick? Is it anything to the dirty 
trick you've played me all these years? 

[Leaps at her, seizes her with both hands, 
shaking her. 

Lucy. Nell! Nell! You'll choke me! Let me go! 
[Elinor throws her on to chair, stands over her."] 
You know? 

Elinor. Yes. He loved me. He told me so that 
day. But you stole him away from me — you thief! 



106 THE LIE 

You stole him, and you stole his child from me. Never 
lie by his side, never go to him without thinking you're 
in my place. Your baby, your Lucy is mine by rights 
— every bone, every morsel of her ! Never look at her, 
never kiss her without thinking that. You robbed me 
of her, you cheated me out of her and him, as you 
cheated me out of everything else. I've given up to 
you all my life long — everything — ^I let you go to 
London at first, and stayed down here to drudge. 
When you came to me in your trouble, I put by every- 
thing to save you — you might have been anything, 
anywhere — on the streets — ^if I hadn't saved you. I 
gave him up for you. And when he came to me again, 
and I'd won him again, you put your shame on me, 
you ruined me in his eyes, and you stole him from me — 
you thief, you thief, you thief, you thief! 

[Seizing her again on the chair. 

Lucy. Nell! Nell! 

Elinor. And now you'd rob me of my boy. For he 
is mine. I've watched over him and nursed him and 
made him love me. You cared nothing for him till you 
saw he loved me most, and now you'd rob me of him. 

Lucy. No — no — no ! He shall stay with you. 

Elinor. Yes. I'll take care of that! I won't part 
from him. I've never had anything all my own but 
him, and you shan't take him from me. 

Lucy. I won't try. You won't tell Gerald? You 
won't? 

Elinor. No; you shall tell him yourself. We'll go 
over to him. Come! Take me to him. 

[Seizing her, dragging her toward door. 

Lucy. No — ^Nell, no! [Holding her hack. 

[A tap at the door. Noll enters. 



THE LIE 107 

Noll, I beg pardon. Gerald is over at the Abbey. 
He had half an hour, so he just ran over to say "Good- 
bye" to me. He's coining here in a few minutes. 

Elinor. "We're waiting for him. 

LucT. No, Mr. Dibdin, Nell and I will come over 
to the Abbey as soon as we've finished, 

[With an imploring look at Elinor. 

Elinor. Mr. Dibdin knows what we are talking 
about. 

Lucy. Mr, Dibdin knows? 

Elinor, Yes. He is a friend of Dr. Denby Rodd. 
Mr. Dibdin has known about you all through. He 
knows what you told Gerald about me. 

Lucy. [To Noll.] You know ? You haven't 

told Gerald? 

Noll. No; Gerald knows nothing — at present. 

Lucy. You won't tell him? [Tiirning to Elinor.] 
Nell, you won't tell Gerald ? Nell, I'm at your mei'cy — 
don't break up my home — his home. Oh, you won't be 
so cruel ! Think what it will be — Mr. Dibdin, help me 
persuade her — for Gerald's sake — help me — oh! Very 
well ! Ruin me if you please ; but you'll ruin him too. 
You'll ruin all his work — you'll have that to remember 
all your life — Mr. Dibdin, persuade her — for Gerald's 
sake! Nell! 

Elinor. What am I to do? 

Noll. You must decide. If you could spare Gerald 
from knowing just now — he has a pretty stiff job in 
front of him out there — he'll need all his nerve and 
energy for it — if you could spare him for the time — 
till that's over. 

Lucy. Nell, have mercy I 



108 THE LIE 

Noll. I think you might say nothing till he gets 
through this business — won't you? 

Elinor. [After a long evident struggle.] Very well. 
He shall not know it through me. 

Lucy. Thanks, thanks, Nell — thanks with all my 
heart! [Trying to take her hand. 

Elinor. [Repulsing her.] I'm not doing it for you. 
I'm doing it for him and his work. 

Noll. Shall I fetch him to say "Good-bye"? 

Lucy. Not for a few minutes. I want to talk to 
Nell. 

Elinor. I've nothing to say to you. Bring him over. 

Lucy. Not yet — please not yet — not for a few min- 
utes. 

Noll. Vei-y well. [Exit. 

Lucy. Oh, Nell — oh, Nell — I can't bear it! Forgive 
me — say you forgive me ! 

Elinor. Forgive you? What's the use of saying 
that? Will that give me back the last five years? Will 
that give me a child to bear to him? Will that give 
me the home and the husband that you've stolen from 
me? 

Lucy. Nell, I never meant to do it! Let me tell 
you [Elinor laughs. 

Elinor. You have told me — [blocking] — "You're 
quite sure I'm not taking you from Elinor?" — "I 
pressed him again and again" — "In any case, I shall 
never marry your sister" — "Oh, Nell, you are splendid ! 
I shall never forget your kindness! Never! And if 

ever I get a chance to repay you " Well, you 

have repaid me ! We'll cry quits ! Now go ! I never 
wish to see you again. Go ! 

Lucy. No, no, I can't ! Oh, I've been a cruel, selfish 



THE LIE 109 

beast to you, and you've been the best and truest friend 
and sister that ever a woman had. I see it now. I 
hate myself. I shall never have a moment's peace 
unless you say you forgive me! 

Elinor. I can't! I'm not made like that. I can't 
say what I don't feel ! Go away now, and when I feel 
that I can really forgive you from my heart, I'll write 
to you or come to you. 

Lucy. No, no; forgive me now! Listen, Nell, I do 
mean this: I'll try to make Gerald a better wife from 
this hour. I'll do all in my power to win his love; 
and I think I can — I'll slave to win him, and when I'm 
sure of him, I'll tell him all the truth, so that he may 
not think ill of you. Forgive me, Nell! [A pause. 

Elinor. You mean that? Swear you'll tell him. 

Lucy. I swear I'll tell him. Say you forgive me, 
Nell. 

Elinor. Come to me or write to me when you have 
told him, and I'll forgive you. Yes, I'll forgive you. 

[Dick enters. 

Dick. Mummy says she's going to take me away with 
the other Miss Shale. I shan't go. [To LuCY.] I'm 
not going with you. I'm going to stay with my own 
Miss Shale. 

Lucy. Yes, darling — so you shall. But you'll give 
me a good long kiss if I let you stay, won't you? 

Dick. Oh, very well ! [Lucy snatches him to her, 
Jcisses him again and again. He gets restless.] I don't 
want you to kiss me all that. 

Lucy. But you love me a little, don't you, darling? 

Elinor. Yes, Dick. Love her. 

Dick. Oh, very well — if you tell me to. 



110 THE LIE 

Lucy. Give me just one more kiss, because I'm 
going away ever so far and ever so long. 

[Lucy draws him to her and kisses him again. 
Noll enters. 

Noll. Gerald is waiting over at the Abbey. What 
are you going to do? 

Elinor. Lucy has promised to tell him, haven't you, 
Lucy? 

Lucy. Yes. 

Noll. When? 

Lucy. When he gets through his business — when he 
can bear it. I will tell him, indeed I will ! 

Noll. You'll find it best — because if Gerald doesn't 
know when he comes back to England, I shall tell him 
myself. He's got to know some day. It will come 
better from you than from me. Shall I fetch him 
now? 

Lucy. No; I'll go to him myself. [Imploringly.] 
Nell! 

Elinor. Good-hye. [Exit Lucy, crying. 

Dick. It will be jolly living with you always. Shall 
we live here? 

Noll. No, old man. We're all going to live at the 
Abbey. 

Elinor. No — no 



Noll. You must, for your own sake 

Elinor. Not yet! 

Noll. Not yet; but when you wish. Dear, let me 
scrape together a little bit of happiness for you out of 
it all — you will, won't you? 

Elinor. Not yet — oh, I don't know — perhaps 

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